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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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2003

International and Area Studies

Asian Review

Articles 1 - 10 of 10

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Introduction, Kullada Kesboonchoo Mead Jan 2003

Introduction, Kullada Kesboonchoo Mead

Asian Review

No abstract provided.


A Revisionist History Of Thai-Us Relations, Kullada Kesboonchoo Mead Jan 2003

A Revisionist History Of Thai-Us Relations, Kullada Kesboonchoo Mead

Asian Review

This paper breaks with the traditional approach to the study of Thai- US relations, and provides a different narrative. It takes a revisionist approach: the world after the Second World War cannot be simply viewed in bipolar terms. It examines how Thailand's political structures and political developments were influenced by its relationship with the leading superpower. The main goal of the US was to protect and enhance its business interests and as one element of its strategy to achieve this, it assigned a particular role to Thailand. The paper identifies various periods of Thai-US relations from the end of the …


Cultural Diversity And Coexistence In Asia, Amara Pongsapic Jan 2003

Cultural Diversity And Coexistence In Asia, Amara Pongsapic

Asian Review

When the world was divided into capitalistic-democratic and socialist-communist regimes, most states in both camps as well as Third World countries adopted nationalism as a necessary ideology. National integration was perceived as not only necessary but possible only in a homogenous society. In many countries, cultural diversity existed but was not recognized in nation-building processes. After the fall of communist regimes at the turn of the decade, cultural pluralism became obvious in USSR and Eastern European countries. After 1989, in Eastern European countries where diversity was recognized, the concepts of civil society and good governance were promoted. Economic and social …


The Far South Of Thailand In The Era Of The American Empire, 9/11 Version, And Thaksin's "Cash And Gung-Ho" Premiership, Surat Horachaikul Jan 2003

The Far South Of Thailand In The Era Of The American Empire, 9/11 Version, And Thaksin's "Cash And Gung-Ho" Premiership, Surat Horachaikul

Asian Review

Though Islam is a political factor throughout Southeast Asia, this paper argues that Islamic fundamentalism does not necessarily govern political life. It also questions generalizations about the increase in political Islamic fundamentalism in the region perceived by the press and American sympathizers. By sketching the roots of the violent conflict in the far south of Thailand, the predominantly Muslim region of the Kingdom, it argues that the violence has been caused not only by Islamic militants consisting of Thai terrorists and Muslim separatist groups who have sought foreign assistance and fought against the Thai state's oppression but also by the …


The Trouble With Hegemony: Hegemonic Destabilization Theory, Jan Nederveen Pieterse Jan 2003

The Trouble With Hegemony: Hegemonic Destabilization Theory, Jan Nederveen Pieterse

Asian Review

This paper revisits hegemonic stability theory to examine whether hegemony, in terms of its major justifications, applies to the United States in the present period. The paper finds that over time, particularly since the end of the Cold War, the role of the United States has increasingly changed from hegemonic stabilization to destabilization. While hegemonic destabilization such as the unleashing of finance capital and military preparedness out of proportion to existing threats, has been noticeable since the Reagan period, recent American policies of aggressive unilateralism and deficit spending have been increasingly destabilizing. This holds implications for how we understand hegemony: …


"September 11" And The Changing Dynamics Of Malaysia-Us Relations, Khadijah Md. Khalid Jan 2003

"September 11" And The Changing Dynamics Of Malaysia-Us Relations, Khadijah Md. Khalid

Asian Review

The events of September 11 have changed US relations with Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region in general. Although Malaysia has been a long-term ally of the US, relations have been complicated by prime minister Mahathir Mohamad's anti-Western stand. Malaysia-US relations reached an all-time low during the East Asian economic crisis which began in 1997. Subsequently, Mahathir has been more conciliatory towards the US. However, the hawkish aggression of the US in Afghanistan and Iraq is again putting pressure on Malaysia-US ties. There is a risk that the US is forsaking its role as a beacon of democracy in the …


Contesting Us Hegemony: A Case Study On Myanmar, Pin-Kwan Pratishthananda Jan 2003

Contesting Us Hegemony: A Case Study On Myanmar, Pin-Kwan Pratishthananda

Asian Review

In the "unipolar" world, the US claims to use its power to liberal states and civil societies. Myanmar is an anomaly, seemingly untouched by this influence. Since 1988, the military has vastly expanded its power and its roles in the society. The number of armed forces has increased. Intelligence gathering has proliferated. Military-created institutions have taken a larger role in the economy, generating more funds for various activities. The military has neutralized most of the ethnic insurgents, and created a wide range of organizations with roles in society. It has also inculcated an ideology in which the military is indispensable …


The Resurgence Of Us Influence On Thailand's Economy And Southeast Asia Policy, 1990-2001, Ukrist Pathmanand Jan 2003

The Resurgence Of Us Influence On Thailand's Economy And Southeast Asia Policy, 1990-2001, Ukrist Pathmanand

Asian Review

This article offers an unconventional approach to the study of US-Thai relations. The conventional approach emphasizes political, military, and security affairs but ignores the interrelationship between the economic and political roles of the US in Thai policy making. This study emphasizes the US economic influence in two periods: during the period of anti-communism in the Cold War era, and again during the financial crisis of 1997 onwards. The first of these periods was set within the context of the Cold War. The US promoted liberal development policies as part of anti-communist strategy. The second of these periods was set in …


Rethinking The Cold War And The American Empire, Soravis Jayanama Jan 2003

Rethinking The Cold War And The American Empire, Soravis Jayanama

Asian Review

The end of the Cold War has renewed interest in Cold War historiography, leading to an explosion of academic literature in this field. A "new Cold War history" seems to be emerging, promising to offer a more international and less "orthodox" perspective, tapping on multi-archival sources. A spate of new works on the crucial and formative period of the Cold War (1945-52) has appeared, on the one hand, shedding a new light on the emergence of the postwar American empire and its foreign relations, and on the other hand, re-examining the role of the Soviet Union and its allies in …


Contributors Jan 2003

Contributors

Asian Review

No abstract provided.