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A Course Module on Southeast Asia in Comparative Politics. Gang Guo, Ph.D. Croft Associate Professor Political Science & Int'l Studies The University of Mississippi. Teaching and Learning SEA.
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A Course Module on Southeast Asia in Comparative Politics Gang Guo, Ph.D. Croft Associate Professor Political Science & Int'l Studies The University of Mississippi
Teaching and Learning SEA • The social and political volatility, dynamic, and diversity of the region present not only a daunting challenge for teaching but also a valuable opportunity for learning. • As the world seems to be on an irreversible course toward increasing plurality, mixture, and interdependence, Southeast Asia in many ways resembles a microcosm of the world to be.
Teaching and Learning SEA • We need a more flexible and complex perspective to study comparative politics • Conventional framework of demarcated boundaries of nation-states. • Conventional framework of a linear path of development toward developed countries. • Conventional framework of a dichotomous categorization of democracies versus autocracies.
Two Possible Approaches • Country by country • Thematic: four common challenges all states face historically or currently • building a nation-state • defining the role of religion • establishing democracy and rule of law • fostering economic development and fairness
Struggle for independence • Japanese occupation (1941-1945) • Colonial powers return (1945-early 1950s) • Charismatic political leaders in the struggle for independence • Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh • Indonesia: Sukarno • Singapore: Lee Kuan Yew • Burma: Aung San
Their legacies • Leaders of the independence movements • Negotiations with colonial powers • Charisma and popularity among public • Long periods of authoritarian rule • Today their political successors still play important roles in respective countries
Second-generation leaders • After initial state & nation building, the 2nd generation leaders gained power through institutional and/or democratic means • Long periods of authoritarian rule • Long periods of economic growth • Philippines: Marcos (1965 - 1986) • Indonesia: Suharto (1968 - 1998) • Malaysia: Mahathir (1981 - 2003)
2010 ranking from most clean to most corrupt 1. Singapore (9.3) 38. Brunei (5.5) 56. Malaysia (4.4) 78. Thailand (3.5) 110. Indonesia (2.8) 116. Vietnam (2.7) 127. Timor-Leste (2.5) 134. Philippines (2.4) 154. Cambodia (2.1) 154. Laos (2.1) 176. Myanmar (1.4) Corruption Perceptions Index