Political Legitimacy in Southeast Asia: The Quest for Moral Authority - Paperback

by Muthiah Alagappa (Editor)

The countries of Southeast Asia have had varying degrees of success in establishing governments that are perceived by their citizens to have the right to rule. This book analyzes variations in political legitimacy in Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam to present specific conclusions on Southeast Asia and the relevance of the framework for the study of political legitimation in other countries.

Back Jacket

An important contribution to reflection on legitimacy and democratization as well as to the study of Southeast Asian politics. . . . The book aids our grasp of the problem of legitimacy, and carefully details the way in which it is being played out in one part of the world.--Journal of Democracy

Author Biography

Muthiah Alagappa is Distinguished Senior Fellow at the East-West Center. He is the editor of Asian Security Order: Instrumental and Normative Features (Stanford, 2003), Coercion and Governance: The Declining Political Role of the Military in Asia (Stanford, 2001), Asian Security Practice: Material and Ideational Influences (Stanford, 1998), and Political Legitimacy in Southeast Asia: The Quest for Moral Authority (Stanford, 1995).