The book explores the relationship between state capacity and authoritarian durability in Southeast Asia, utilizing theoretical insights to create a comprehensive framework. It examines the diverse political landscapes of the region, analyzing how different factors influence the effectiveness of state power and the longevity of authoritarian regimes. Through this lens, the author aims to provide a deeper understanding of the dynamics at play in Southeast Asian politics.
"Over the past century, Asia has been transformed by rapid economic growth, industrialization, and urbanization--a spectacular record of development that has turned one of the world's poorest regions into one of its richest. Yet Asia's record of democratization has been much more uneven, despite the global correlation between development and democracy. Why have some Asian countries become more democratic as they have grown richer, while others--most notably China--haven't? In From Development to Democracy, Dan Slater and Joseph Wong offer a sweeping and original answer to this crucial question. Slater and Wong demonstrate that Asia defies the conventional expectation that authoritarian regimes concede democratization only as a last resort, during times of weakness. Instead, Asian dictators have pursued democratic reforms as a proactive strategy to revitalize their power from a position of strength. Of central importance is whether authoritarians are confident of victory and stability. In Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan these factors fostered democracy through strength, while democratic experiments in Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar were less successful and more reversible. At the same time, resistance to democratic reforms has proven intractable in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Reconsidering China's 1989 crackdown, Slater and Wong argue that it was the action of a regime too weak to concede, not too strong to fail, and they explain why China can allow democracy without inviting instability. The result is a comprehensive regional history that offers important new insights about when and how democratic transitions happen--and what the future of Asia might be"-- Publisher's website
The narrative follows Dan Slater, a passionate traveler, as he relocates from London to South Africa and convinces his girlfriend to embark on an adventurous overland journey from Cairo to Cape Town. The twist lies in their extremely tight budget of just $10 a day for the entire five-month trek, setting the stage for unexpected challenges and experiences as they navigate the diverse landscapes and cultures of Africa.
