Southeast Asia: A Very Short Introduction

Despite its extraordinary diversity of ethnicities, religions, and political systems, Southeast Asia plays a key role in global economies and geopolitics, especially in light of its strategic position bordering China and India.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 24 May 2018
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Southeast Asia, a region that spans the equator, encompasses a vibrant tapestry of countries, including Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Brunei, and East Timor. Despite its remarkable diversity of ethnicities, religions, and political systems, Southeast Asia holds a significant place in global economies and geopolitics, particularly due to its strategic location bordering China and India. In this concise introduction, we explore the contemporary nature of Southeast Asia's national societies through the lens of their historical evolution. From the eras of indigenous kingdoms and colonies under Western rule to the present-day independent nation-states, we trace the intricate threads that have shaped the region's identity.

Deftly combining historical analysis and geopolitical insights, the book offers a comprehensive portrayal of contemporary Southeast Asia as a community of diverse societies and traditions. It serves as a political theater-of-action, nestled between India and China and intricately intertwined with global economic traffic patterns, power balances, and environmental forces.

As James R. Rush emphasizes, archaic structures, such as religious and ethnic rivalries, tenacious feudal hierarchies, and age-old trade and migration patterns, persist beneath the surface of modern national governments in Southeast Asia. The book draws on a diverse range of examples from the major nations, including Myanmar's ethno-religious violence, the Muslim-led rebellion in the southern Philippines, the Thai-Cambodian territorial rivalries, Singapore's Confucian-inspired governance, Indonesia's military rule and democratization, the environmental consequences of agribusiness, mining, and unchecked urbanization, and the big-power alignments and tensions involving the United States, China, and Japan.

By delving into the cultural, political, and geographical backgrounds of these countries, the book provides a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics that shape Southeast Asia's present and future. It sheds light on the challenges and opportunities that the region faces, from promoting regional cooperation to addressing the impacts of climate change and managing the geopolitical tensions that arise from its strategic location.

In conclusion, Southeast Asia is a region of immense diversity and significance, with a rich history and a pivotal role in global affairs. This short introduction offers a glimpse into the contemporary character of its national societies, highlighting the enduring legacies of the past and the dynamic forces that shape the region's future. As we continue to engage with Southeast Asia, it is essential to appreciate its unique cultural heritage, political complexities, and environmental challenges, and to work towards a future that is inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous for all its citizens.

Weight: 140g
Dimension: 112 x 173 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190248765