PLT3930

Southeast Asian politics

Susan Blackburn

8 points - 3 hours per week - First semester - Clayton

Objectives As a result of studying this subject, students should be able to understand and explain different strategies of development adopted by Southeast Asian governments and their implementation; analyse the political forces supporting and opposing those policies; evaluate the effects of those policies on different groups in the three countries; research and write critically analytical and documented essays.

Synopsis Because development is the main preoccupation of Southeast Asian governments, this subject aims to assess the strategies for development adopted in three such countries, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. After reviewing the social and economic problems facing those countries at independence, the subject looks briefly at the development options available and then proceeds to examine the development policies of successive governments from the point of view of identifying the groups which benefit and lose as a result of these policies. Finally, some issues of political economy affecting the region as a whole will be discussed, including environmental controversies, democratisation and women and development.

Assessment Two essays of 1500 words: 20% and 2500 words: 40% - Examination (2 hours): 40%

Recommended texts

Hewison K and others (eds) Southeast Asia in the 1990s Allen and Unwin, 1993
Porter G Vietnam: The politics of bureaucratic socialism Cornell U P, 1993
Schwarz A A nation in waiting: Indonesia in the 1990s Allen and Unwin, 1994
Crouch H Government and society in Malaysia Allen and Unwin, 1996

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