The Politics Of Democratization: Generalizing East Asian Experiences (Transitions : Asia and Asian America)

This collection explores democratic transitions in East Asia, arguing against the standard wisdom that European or Christian value systems and socioeconomic forces are essential for democracy to succeed. Instead the contributors convincingly illustrate that political institutions, which can be built anywhere by skilled coalitions, have the most profound and lasting influence on a stable democratic system. Indeed the East Asian experience reveals truths about Western democratization that are obscured by popular Western mythologies. This partnership of U.S. and Asian scholars has given us the first systematic effort to bring East Asia into the democratization debate in a way that compels one to rethink "the politics of democratization" everywhere. The book therefore is a crucial contribution for all those interested in the broader issues of transition. This Timely Collection Explores Democratic Transitions In East Asia, Arguing Against The Standard Wisdom That European Or Christian Value Systems And Socioeconomic Forces Are Essential For Democracy To Succeed. Instead The Contributors Convincingly Illustrate That Political Institutions And Broad Political Coalitions, Which Can Be Built Anywhere By Skilled Politicians, Are Keys To Consolidating A Democratic Breakthrough. An Exploration Of The East Asian Experience Reveals Truths About Western Democratization That Are Usually Obscured By Popular Western Mythologies. This Partnership Of U.s. And Asian Scholars Offers The First Systematic Effort To Bring East Asia Into The Democratization Debate In A Way That Compels One To Rethink The Politics Of Democratization Everywhere. The Book Therefore Is A Crucial Contribution For All Those Interested In The Broader Issues Of Transitions To Democracy.--book Jacket. Democratization : Generalizing The East Asain Experience / Edward Friedman -- Democratization, Peace, And Economic Development In Occupied Japan, 1945-1952 / Masanori Nakamura -- Japan's Foriegn Policy And Asain Democratization / David Arase -- New Directions In Japanese Foriegn Policy : Promoting Human Rights And Democracy In Asia - Oda Perspective / Yasunobu Sato -- Making Democracy : Generalizing The South Korean Case / Tun-jen Cheng, Eun Mee Kim -- (cont.) Uncertain Promise : Democratic Consolidation In South Korea / Heng Lee -- Decolonization Without Democracy : The Birth Of Pluralistic Politics In Hong Kong / Ming K. Chan -- Toward Peaceful Resolution Of Mainland-taiwan Conflicts : The Promise Of Democratization / Hung-mao Tien -- Political Liberalization And The Farmers' Movement In Taiwan / Hsin-huang Michael Hsiao -- Problems Of Democratic Reform In China / Su Shaozhi -- Social And Cultural Prerequisites Of Democratization : Generalizing From China / Stephen Manning. Edited By Edward Friedman. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

This timely collection explores democratic transitions in East Asia, arguing against the standard wisdom that European or Christian value systems and socioeconomic forces are essential for democracy to succeed. Instead the contributors convincingly illustrate that political institutions and broad political coalitions, which can be built anywhere by skilled politicians, are keys to consolidating a democratic breakthrough. An exploration of the East Asian experience reveals truths about Western democratization that are usually obscured by popular Western mythologies. This partnership of U.S. and Asian scholars offers the first systematic effort to bring East Asia into the democratization debate in a way that compels one to rethink 'the politics of democratization' everywhere. The book therefore is a crucial contribution for all those interested in the broader issues of transitions to democracy.

A collection which explores democratic transitions in East Asia and argues against the standard wisdom that European value-systems and socioeconomic traditions are essential for democracy to succeed.