Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Synopsis Focusing on several major East Asian states, this subject seeks to explore some diverse kinds and degrees of political and economic change and development. Strong emphasis is given to studying the relationship between socio-economic changes and trends towards `democratic' or `authoritarian' politics and to a particular concern with ideas, `ideologies' and practices in the roles of the modern state. The subject examines developments in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and mainland China, looking at `traditional' political, social and economic structures and their modification or disruption through political, economic and social changes and through contacts with `the West'. It also examines a variety of political, economic and social responses to, and consequences of, such pressures for change. Comparisons among these countries are made in an effort to test the ideas and theories of writers such as Barrington Moore Jr, Chalmers Johnson, Alice Amsden, Stephan Haggard, Peter Berger, Frederick Deyo, Robert Wade and Gordon White. Subjects explored may include political cooperation and conflict among bureaucrats, business corporations, politicians, trade unions and the military; the significance of gender and class.
Assessment Essay (6000 words): 50% + Examination (3 hours): 50%