Elections as Popular Culture in Asia (Politics in Asia Series)

Conventional political science depicts legitimate elections as rational affairs in which informed voters select candidates for office according to how their coherently presented aims, ideologies and policies appeal to the self-interest of the electorate. In reality elections, whether in first world democracies, or in the various governmental systems present in Asia, can more realistically be seen as cultural events in which candidatesвЂTM campaigns are shaped, consciously or unconsciously, to appeal to the cultural understanding and practices of the electorate. The election campaign period is one in which the masses are mobilized to participate in a range of cultural activities, from flying the party colours in noisy motorcycle parades to attending political rallies for or against, or simply to be entertained by the performances on the political stage, and to gambling on the outcome of the contest. The essays in this book analyse electioneering activities in nine Asian countries in terms of popular cultural practices in each location, ranging from updated traditional cultures to mimicry and caricatures of present day television dramas. In presenting political election as an expression of popular culture this book portrays electoral behaviour as a meaningful cultural practice. As such this book will appeal to student and scholars of political science and cultural studies alike, as well as those with a more general interest in Asian studies. The Chapters In This Book Analyse Electioneering Activities In Nine Asian Countries In Terms Of Popular Cultural Practices In Each Location, Ranging From Updated Traditional Cultures To Mimicry And Caricatures Of Present Day Television Dramas. In Presenting Political Election As An Expression Of Popular Culture, Elections As Popular Culture In Asia Portrays Electoral Behaviour As A Meaningful Cultural Practice. As Such, This Book Will Appeal To Students And Scholars Of Political Science And Cultural Studies Alike, As Well As Those With A More General Interest In Asian Studies.--book Jacket. Introduction : Political Elections As Popular Culture / Chua Beng Huat -- The Festive Machine : Taiwan's 2004 Elections As Popular Culture / Ko Yufen -- Popular Protest And Electioneering In A Partial Democracy : The Case Of Hong Kong / Wan-chaw Shae And Pik-wan Wong -- The Performance Factor In Indonesian Elections / Jennifer Lindsay -- Betting On Democracy : Electoral Ritual In The Philippine Presidential Campaign / Filomeno V. Aguilar, Jr. -- Middle-class Ironic Electoral Cultural Practices In Thailand : Observing The 2005 National Assembly Election And Its Aftermath / Pitch Pongsawat -- Engaging The 2004 General Election In Malaysia : Contrasting Roles And Goals / Loh Kok Wah Francis -- Fun With Democracy : Election Coverage And The Elusive Subject Of Indian Politics / M. Madhava Prasad -- Net Power And Politics Of The Internet Media In South Korea / Keehyeung Lee -- The Depersonalized Is Politically Correct : Japanese Electioneering Practices In Mid-life Crisis / Kaori Tsurumoto. [compiled By] Chua Beng Huat. Series Numbered Retrospectively. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 6 Copyright......Page 7 Contents......Page 8 Notes on contributors......Page 10 Preface......Page 12 Acknowledgements......Page 14 Introduction: Political elections as popular culture......Page 16 1 The festive machine: Taiwan’s 2004 elections as popular culture......Page 37 2 Popular protest and electioneering in a partial democracy: The case of Hong Kong......Page 53 3 The performance factor in Indonesian elections......Page 70 4 Betting on democracy: Electoral ritual in the Philippine presidential campaign......Page 87 5 Middle-class ironic electoral cultural practices in Thailand: Observing the 2005 National Assembly Election and its aftermath......Page 109 6 Engaging the 2004 general election in Malaysia: Contrasting roles and goals......Page 130 7 Fun with democracy: Election coverage and the elusive subject of Indian politics......Page 154 8 Net power and the politics of the Internet media in South Korea......Page 170 9 The depersonalized is politically correct: Japanese electioneering practices in mid-life crisis......Page 187 Index......Page 206 Political election as popular culture / Chua Beng Huat The festive machine : Taiwan's 2004 election / Ko Yufen Popular protest and electioneering in a partial democracy, Hong Kong / Wan-chaw Shae & Pik-wan Wong Performance factors in Indonesian elections / Jennifer Lindsay Betting on democracy : electoral ritual at the Philippine presidential campaign / Filomeno V. Aguilar, Jr. Middle class electoral cultural practices in Thailand / Pitch Pongsawat Election with known outcome : engaging the 2004 Malaysian election / Francis Loh Kok Wah Fun with democracy : election coverage and the elusive subject of Indian politics / Madhava Prasad Net power and politics in Korea / Keehyeung Lee Depersonalization is politically correct : Japanese electioneering practices / Kaori Tsurumoto. The essays in this book analyze electioneering activities in nine Asian countries in terms of popular cultural practices, ranging from updated traditional cultures to mimicry and caricatures of present day television dramas