Political Change And Consolidation Book

List of Tables     xi
List of Acronyms     xiii
Preface     xv
Introduction     1
Theoretical Issues: Democracy     2
Transitions to Democracy     4
Economic Crises and Political Change     5
Consolidation of Democracy     10
Case Studies     12
Conclusion     25
Thailand: Successful or Incomplete Democracy?     29
Thai Political History     29
Principal Players in Thai Politics: The Military     33
Popular Protests and Civil Society     35
The 1997 Economic Crisis and the Ratification of the New Constitution     36
Explaining Political Change     42
Internal Factors: Political Infighting, the Role of the Military and the Civil Society     45
External Factors: Pressure from the IMF and Global Capital     46
Connection Between the Economic Crisis and Political Reform     47
Changes Under the 1997 Constitution     48
Status of Democracy Today?     49
Conclusion     58
South Korea: The Final Hurdle for Democracy     61
Explanation of Korean Politics     62
Democratization in South Korea     64
TheEconomic Crisis of 1997 and the Presidential Election of December 1997     65
Did the Elections of 1997 Signify Genuine Change or Further Democratization?     68
Explanation of Success or Failure of Reform Ambitions     70
Consolidation of Democracy?     71
Changes in Security Relations and in Relations with the United States     77
Chaebol Reform     79
Conclusion     80
Indonesia: Democratization but Hurdles Still Remain     83
Introduction     83
Background: Indonesian Politics Before 1997     84
Immediate Effects of the Economic Crisis     86
Reformasi     88
Further Changes     89
Elections of 2004     90
Other Lingering Problems     93
Analysis of Successful Reforms     95
The Difficulties in Consolidating Democracy     97
Connection Between the Economic Crisis and Political Reform     98
Conclusion     105
Malaysia: Defiance in the Face of Adversity     107
The Events of 1997-1999     108
The Anwar Debacle     109
The 1999 Elections     112
Explaining the Lack of Political Reforms     113
Malaysian Politics Since 1999      118
Prospects for Political Reform?     120
Role of Islam     122
Abdullah: Reform-Minded Leader?     124
Other Obstacles to Change     125
Conclusion     126
Conclusion     129
Case Study Conclusions     130
Applicability of Case Studies to Theoretical Material     135
Final Thoughts     141
Notes     143
Bibliography     165
Index     177