Democracy and Nationalism in Southeast Asia: From Secessionist Mobilization to Conflict Resolution

Jacques Bertrand offers a comparative-historical analysis of five nationalist conflicts in Southeast Asia, challenging and refining existing debates on democracy's impact and showing that it often introduces pernicious effects that fail to resolve conflict and contribute to maintaining deep nationalist grievances.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Jacques Bertrand delves into a comprehensive comparative-historical analysis of five nationalist conflicts that have unfolded across Southeast Asia over several decades. Employing a theoretical framework to unravel the variations in these conflicts over time and across cases, he sets out to challenge and refine existing debates on the impact of democracy on resolving conflicts. What emerges is a nuanced understanding that while democratization does indeed reduce violent insurgency over time, it often introduces pernicious effects that fail to fully address the underlying nationalist grievances.

To support his findings, Bertrand draws upon extensive fieldwork spanning several years, allowing him to examine the intricate pathways that led from secessionist mobilization to a diverse range of outcomes. These outcomes include persistent state repression for Malay Muslims in Thailand, a low-level violence under a top-down special autonomy for Papuans, a shift in mobilizing from nationalist to indigenous peoples in the Cordillera, a protracted and uncertain journey towards an untested broad autonomy for the Moros, and a relatively successful broad autonomy for the Acehnese.

Through his meticulous analysis, Bertrand sheds light on the complex dynamics and factors that shape nationalist conflicts in Southeast Asia. He highlights the role of historical legacies, political institutions, social identities, and economic disparities in perpetuating and exacerbating these conflicts. He also explores the strategies employed by different actors, including governments, rebel groups, and local communities, to navigate and respond to these challenges.

Bertrand's work contributes to our understanding of the complexities of nationalism and its impact on regional stability. It challenges the simplistic narratives that often prevail in discussions about democracy and conflict resolution. By providing a nuanced and empirically grounded analysis, he offers valuable insights into the factors that contribute to the persistence of nationalist grievances and the challenges faced by governments in promoting peace and stability in the region.

Weight: 440g
ISBN-13: 9781108811811