The Roots of Resilience
Party Machines and Grassroots Politics in Southeast Asia
Published on 15. February 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-1-5017-7916-9 (ISBN)
Description
In The Roots of Resilience Meredith L. Weiss examines governance from the ground up in the world's two most enduring electoral authoritarian or "hybrid" regimes-Singapore and Malaysia-where politically liberal and authoritarian features blend, evading substantive democracy.
Weiss explains that while key attributes of these regimes differ, affecting the scope, character, and balance among national parties and policies, local machines, and personalized linkages, the similarity in the overall patterns in these countries confirms the salience of those dimensions. The Roots of Resilience shows that high levels of authoritarian acculturation, amplifying the political payoffs of what parties and politicians actually provide their constituents, explain why electoral turnover alone is insufficient for real regime change in either state.
Weiss explains that while key attributes of these regimes differ, affecting the scope, character, and balance among national parties and policies, local machines, and personalized linkages, the similarity in the overall patterns in these countries confirms the salience of those dimensions. The Roots of Resilience shows that high levels of authoritarian acculturation, amplifying the political payoffs of what parties and politicians actually provide their constituents, explain why electoral turnover alone is insufficient for real regime change in either state.
Reviews / Votes
Roots of Resilience makes an important contribution to the literature on Malaysia and Singapore by providing historical depth and empirical richness to the argument that dominant parties reshape the political sphere to maximize their advantages. It will serve as a useful reference point in navigating the increasing uncertainty that the dominant parties of both countries face in the years ahead.(Pacific Affairs) A timely analysis of regime durability in Singapore and Malaysia. Weiss has made a significant contribution to the literature on comparative politics, specifically in the subfield of transitology, or the study of why democratic transitions occur. Through her focus on the minutiae of grassroots politics, she has shown just how sophisticated electoral authoritarians have to be to remain in power, and how entrenched their dominance is.
(Journal of Asian Studies)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Ithaca
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5017-7916-9 (9781501779169)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
08/2020
Cornell University Press
€19.49
Available for download
Person
Meredith L. Weiss is Professor of Political Science in the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Her previous books include Protest and Possibilities, Student Activism in Malaysia, and Mobilizing for Elections.
Content
1. Parties, Machines, and Personalities
2. Regimes and Resilience Reconceptualized
3. The Convoluted Political Path to Malaysia
4. Edging toward Sovereign Singapore
5. Competitive Authoritarianism in Malaysia: Consolidated but Challenged
6. Hegemonic Electoral Authoritarianism in Singapore: Firmly Entrenched
7. Drivers of Stasis and Change: Will the Pattern Hold?
2. Regimes and Resilience Reconceptualized
3. The Convoluted Political Path to Malaysia
4. Edging toward Sovereign Singapore
5. Competitive Authoritarianism in Malaysia: Consolidated but Challenged
6. Hegemonic Electoral Authoritarianism in Singapore: Firmly Entrenched
7. Drivers of Stasis and Change: Will the Pattern Hold?