Ebook: Democracy in Eastern Asia: issues, problems and challenges in a region of diversity

With the 'Asian Century' now upon us, bringing with it many profound economic and political changes to the world order, it is very timely to assess the state of democracy in the Asian region. Focusing on Eastern Asia, this book provides such a review, highlighting lines of connections between the states and peoples of this complex and dynamic region. Featuring chapters on China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Myanmar, this book provides a detailed analysis of the state of democracy in each country or territory, and shows how each is different and distinctive, whilst simultaneously drawing out important similarities. Further, it provides up to date analysis of political changes in the region relating to the processes of democratization, and, in some cases, to the ongoing quest for democracy. Critically examining the current state of political development in the region, the chapters explore the issues and problems that challenge the region's governments in terms of democratic transition, democratic consolidation, democratic improvement and good governance";Democracy in Japan : national, subnational and grassroots perspectives / Purnendra Jain -- South Korea's disaffected democracy / Chong-Min Park -- Regime transition to liberal democracy : the case of Taiwan / Chung-li Wu -- Consolidation of a low-quality democracy : two cheers for Indonesia / Steven Drakeley -- Thai democracy at a dangerous crossroads / Pavin Chachavalpongpun -- The limits of post-plunder reform in the Philippines' oligarchic democracy / Nathan Gilbert Quimpo -- Developments in Cambodian democracy : democratic consolidation or authoritarian durability? / Melissa Curley -- Democracy and change in Malaysia : when do authoritarian controls backfire? / William Case -- Democratization and embracing uncertainty in post-2011 Singapore / Netina Tan -- The democratic transition in Myanmar : will the reforms be sustained? / Helen James -- Democratization in Hong Kong : a theoretical exception / Joseph Cheng -- The quest for constitutional democracy in contemporary China / Feng Chongyi