Military Politics in Contemporary Southeast Asia (Routledge Contemporary Southeast Asia Series)

This book examines the role of the military in Southeast Asian politics, focusing in particular on developments since 2001. Each chapter addresses the role of the military in the politics of a particular country, with coverage of those states with traditionally high levels of military intervention in politics (Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia and the Philippines) as well as those countries where the military has played a less significant role (Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and East Timor). The level of military engagement in politics is evaluated against certain criteria, including the depth of military involvement in the political institutions of the state, the economy, media and society, and in security affairs and internal military management. Each chapter then goes on to explain these trends, exploring important factors such as historical legacies, the quality of democratic governance, economic growth or decline, international factors, internal security threats, and internal military developments. Overall, this book is an important resource for anyone interested in the politics and military affairs of Southeast Asia, and adds to the global debate on military participation in politics, the role of foreign military aid in promoting political reform, and the importance of good governance for depoliticizing the armed forces.Mietzner, Marcus is the author of 'Military Politics in Contemporary Southeast Asia (Routledge Contemporary Southeast Asia Series)', published 2010 under ISBN 9780415460354 and ISBN 0415460352.