Showing papers in "Asian Survey in 2012"
TL;DR: The authors examines the reasons for this investment, the various forms of public diplomacy India employs, and the effectiveness of its efforts to shape public opinion, and finds that Indian investment in public diplomacy is partly a response to concerns about the perceived growth of Chinese soft power and partly a function of changed beliefs in the foreign policy making elite about the uses of new social media.
Abstract: Over the past decade, India has invested significant resources in public diplomacy, using traditional and new approaches to build and leverage its soft power. This article examines the reasons for this investment, the various forms of public diplomacy India employs, and the effectiveness of its efforts to shape public opinion. It finds that Indian investment in public diplomacy is partly a response to concerns about the perceived growth of Chinese soft power and partly a function of changed beliefs in the foreign policy-making elite about the uses of new social media. It also finds that India9s new public diplomacy seems to have met with some––albeit patchy––success in augmenting its soft power.
48 citations
TL;DR: Hong Kong9s civil society has remained vibrant since the sovereignty handover in 1997, thanks to an active defense by the democratic movement against Beijing9s attempts to control civil liberties as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Hong Kong9s civil society has remained vibrant since the sovereignty handover in 1997, thanks to an active defense by the democratic movement against Beijing9s attempts to control civil liberties. Hong Kong is becoming mainland China9s offshore civil society, serving as a free platform for information circulation and organizing among mainland activists and intellectuals.
46 citations
TL;DR: In this article, two stark different approaches to the SCS conflict are discussed: (1) diplomacy among the claimants either bilaterally or multilaterally; (2) if diplomacy fails, the claimants are building their militaries to assert their rights through force.
Abstract: Disputes over sovereignty and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea (SCS) involve both the claimants and major maritime powers. Two starkly different approaches to the SCS conflict are discussed: (1) diplomacy among the claimants either bilaterally or multilaterally; (2) if diplomacy fails, the claimants are building their militaries to assert their rights through force.
34 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the social impact of China's recent economic expansion and dynamic marketization on ethnic minorities in the minority regions of Xinjiang and Tibet was examined through a discussion of migration and employment situations.
Abstract: Through a discussion of migration and employment situations in Xinjiang and Tibet, this paper critically examines the social impact of China’s recent economic expansion and dynamic marketization on its ethnic minorities in the minority regions of Xinjiang and Tibet.
32 citations
TL;DR: In the last months of the civil war after the release of the United Nations Advisory Panel report, Rajapaksa's government made no significant progress toward a political settlement and reconciliation with the Tamil community as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Local elections consolidated the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration9s grip on power. State-led efforts to stimulate economic growth continued with major infrastructure projects in the northeastern and southern parts of Sri Lanka. No significant progress was made toward a political settlement and reconciliation with the Tamil community, and the government came under increasing international pressure about its conduct in the last months of the civil war after the release of the United Nations Advisory Panel report.
32 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors distinguish between clientelist and cleavage-based parties and party systems with reference to insights of historical institutionalism, concluding that clientelist parties often undermine democratization because, on average, representativeness is weak, bureaucracy is more politicized, and rent-seeking behavior is widespread.
Abstract: This article differentiates between clientelist (Thailand and the Philippines) and cleavage-based parties and party systems (Malaysia and Indonesia) with reference to insights of historical institutionalism. Clientelist parties, in contrast to cleavage-based ones, often undermine democratization because, on average, representativeness is weak, bureaucracy is more politicized, and rent-seeking behavior is widespread.
31 citations
TL;DR: In the South China Sea dispute, some Track-2 settings, along with Track-1 efforts by ASEAN and China, have facilitated some conflict management as mentioned in this paper. But they have not brought about conflict resolution of the basic sovereignty and control issues.
Abstract: In the South China Sea dispute, some Track-2 settings, along with Track-1 efforts by ASEAN and China, have facilitated some conflict “management.” But they have not brought about conflict “resolution” of the basic sovereignty and control issues. Conflict “irresolution” has ensued instead. Short-term balancing may perhaps generate long-term socialization convergence.
29 citations
TL;DR: Wang et al. as mentioned in this paper identified major trends in China in 2011 and analyzed their implications, showing that Chinese intellectuals are becoming increasingly politically conscious and calling for political reform, but the leadership is trapped in the politics of power succession.
Abstract: This paper identifies major trends in China in 2011 and analyzes their implications. The past year has witnessed a continuous rise of anger among social groups, as demonstrated in various forms of social protests. Chinese intellectuals are becoming increasingly politically conscious and calling for political reform. However, the leadership is trapped in the politics of power succession; uncertainty is widespread.
29 citations
TL;DR: The authors empirically analyzes the association between caste and class in India and finds a tentative congruence between castes and classes at the extremes of the caste system and a slight weakening in this association over time.
Abstract: This paper empirically analyzes the association between caste and class in India. I find a tentative congruence between castes and classes at the extremes of the caste system and a slight weakening in this association over time. Although Scheduled Castes have low upward mobility, higher castes are not entirely protected from downward mobility.
28 citations
TL;DR: The aid dependence of Cambodian NGOs has resulted in a predominantly donor-driven peace-building process as mentioned in this paper, and despite some crucial reconciliation initiatives that predate donor involvement and are rooted in local Buddhist-traditions, recent key initiatives in the area of transitional justice would not have happened without significant international funding and support.
Abstract: The aid dependence of Cambodian NGOs has resulted in a predominantly donor-driven peace-building process. Notwithstanding some crucial reconciliation initiatives that predate donor involvement and are rooted in local—often Buddhist—traditions, recent key initiatives in the area of transitional justice would not have happened without significant international funding and support.
28 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine the ingredients of strategic state intervention in growth driven by special economic zones (SEZs) and reveal that essential components of a strategic SEZ policy include the spirit of experimentation with strategic policy making informed by a medium-to long-term vision, as well as a strong commitment, pragmatic approach, dynamic learning, and institution-building.
Abstract: The present study examines the ingredients of strategic state intervention in growth driven by special economic zones (SEZs). Analyzing the experiences of Taiwan, South Korea, and India, the research reveals that essential components of a strategic SEZ policy include the spirit of experimentation with strategic policy making informed by a medium- to long-term vision, as well as a strong commitment, pragmatic approach, dynamic learning, and institution-building.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the appeal of Hindu right-wing social service organizations, which try to use welfare provisions to entrench themselves in urban slums across India, but their welfare provision is not as successful in Tamil Nadu as in Karnataka.
Abstract: This article examines the appeal of Hindu right-wing social service organizations, which try to use welfare provisions to entrench themselves in urban slums across India. However, in South India, their welfare provision is not as successful in Tamil Nadu as in Karnataka. I explain this spatial variation by arguing that these communal organizations fail to entrench themselves in those slums where preexisting civic associations closely linked to party officials and local administrators function as efficient patronage networks, providing welfare needs to the urban poor and reducing the need for non-state actors such as right-wing groups.
TL;DR: In this article, the impact of Korean civil society on politics since democratization is examined, showing that weak mediating institutions prevent the systematic inclusion of societal actors in the policymaking process, pitting an increasingly strengthened civil society against the state.
Abstract: This article examines the impact of Korean civil society on politics since democratization. Weak mediating institutions prevent the systematic inclusion of societal actors in the policymaking process, pitting an increasingly strengthened civil society against the state. Consequently, Korean state-society relations continue to remain contentious, posing challenges to democratic governance.
TL;DR: Burma's recent election was clearly not free and fair as mentioned in this paper, but it can also be seen as improving a uniquely unrepresentative government, creating greater pluralism, and institutionalizing differences within the ruling junta.
Abstract: Burma’s recent election was clearly not free and fair. However, it can also be seen as improving a uniquely unrepresentative government, creating greater pluralism, and institutionalizing differences within the ruling junta. Even the rigged election may have created opportunities for further opening in the future.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors conceptualized the multifaceted concept of national identity in Taiwan and explored the dimensionality that underlies its nature, which is the essence of Taiwan's identity politics.
Abstract: This article conceptualizes the multifaceted concept of national identity in Taiwan. The prevailing measures on national identity were ubiquitous, one-dimensional, and categorical, forcing people to choose between being Taiwanese and being Chinese or opting for independence or unification. Conceptual haziness leaves us ill equipped to examine the essence of Taiwan’s identity politics. Hence, this article goes beyond national identity to explore the dimensionality that underlies its nature.
TL;DR: The authors examines how the people in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore view the concept of "community building" and the obstacles this initiative may encounter, and how they view the ASEAN Community.
Abstract: The formulation “ASEAN Community” has been criticized for being too elitist and lacking serious efforts to solicit public opinion. This article examines how the people in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore view the concept of “community building” and the obstacles this initiative may encounter.
TL;DR: This article explored the growing trend in income inequality in Korea and Taiwan and found that market inequality is higher in Taiwan than in Korea, yet the Taiwan government's efforts to reduce this disparity are stronger than similar moves in Korea.
Abstract: This paper explores the growing trend in income inequality in Korea and Taiwan. The two recent East Asian democracies have witnessed rising inequality since the 1990s but with cross-national differences. We find that market inequality is higher in Taiwan than in Korea, yet the Taiwan government’s efforts to reduce this disparity are stronger than similar moves in Korea. By applying the logic of economic, social, and political effects, we find both similar trends and divergent paths in the politics of inequality in the two countries.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors demonstrate how India9s regional parties, by entering into opportunistic alliances with national parties and joining coalition central governments, have become effective barriers against central dominance and identify the specific dynamics through which this effective veto power is exercised.
Abstract: Successive national governments in India have invoked an emergency constitutional provision to impose direct central rule in states over 100 times since 1950. However, such central government usurpation of state governance has declined since the mid-1990s. This essay demonstrates how India9s regional parties, by entering into opportunistic alliances with national parties and joining coalition central governments, have become effective barriers against central dominance. It also identifies the specific dynamics through which this effective veto power is exercised.
TL;DR: In 2011, Singaporeans voted in parliamentary and presidential elections and the social networking media, dominated by alternative reporting and commentary, played a significant role in generating political interest and mobilizing oppositional thinking as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In 2011, Singaporeans voted in parliamentary and presidential elections. The social networking media, dominated by alternative reporting and commentary, played a significant role in generating political interest and mobilizing oppositional thinking and support. Faced with a stronger oppositional presence and a politically emboldened electorate, the People's Action Party government won the elections but achieved its worst results ever.
TL;DR: The authors argues that citizen intellectuals are a growing influence as a source of ideas about China's future and the world's, and argues that they are relative outsiders, and argue that they can be used to challenge elite discussions of foreign policy.
Abstract: This essay examines how China’s “harmonious world” foreign policy has unintentionally created opportunities for citizens to challenge elite discussions of foreign policy. Although they are relative outsiders, the essay argues that citizen intellectuals are a growing influence as a source of ideas about China’s future—and the world’s.
TL;DR: The authors explored how Asian energy security issues are perceived in China, India, and Japan, and investigated perceptions of 16 energy security challenges drawn from an extensive survey, as well as how such conceptions differ between Asian energy consumers and across these dimensions of energy security.
Abstract: This study explores how Asian energy security issues are perceived in China, India, and Japan. It investigates perceptions of 16 energy security challenges drawn from an extensive survey, as well as how such conceptions differ between Asian energy consumers and across these dimensions of energy security.
TL;DR: Tensions in the international arena are linked here to problems in contemporary Vietnam as discussed by the authors, which is related to the lack of political reconstruction to suit a market economy and an increasingly open society.
Abstract: Tensions in the international arena are linked here to problems in contemporary Vietnam. Eroding domestic political authority is related to the lack of political reconstruction to suit a market economy and an increasingly open society. At the close of 2011, it appears that there is as yet no clear path forward.
TL;DR: The ASEAN family of regional security institutions has a mixed record: it has proved very helpful in improving interstate trust, fairly helpful in managing peaceful change, somewhat helpful in enhancing regime stability, but virtually useless in resolving interstate conflict as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The “ASEAN family” of regional security institutions has a mixed record: it has proved very helpful in improving interstate trust, fairly helpful in managing peaceful change, somewhat helpful in enhancing regime stability, but virtually useless in resolving interstate conflict. Overall, East Asia remains dominated by conventional forms of international relations.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that China, the world's largest energy consumer and greenhouse gas emitter, appears to have contradictory climate policies, while aggressively pursuing a renewable energy policy, Beijing is weak on a commitment to emissions reduction.
Abstract: China, the world9s largest energy consumer and greenhouse gas emitter, appears to have contradictory climate policies. While aggressively pursuing a renewable energy policy, Beijing is weak on a commitment to emissions reduction. The “paradox” can be reconciled on the basis of China9s priority for growth, which is critical in ensuring the Communist Party9s grip on power.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on environmental issues, growing international scrutiny about a fair war crimes trial, human rights concerns, the India-Bangladesh border, and transit and water sharing arrangements remain key challenges.
Abstract: Bangladesh has achieved some impressive social and developmental goals in its health and education sectors. It has also effectively dealt with the adversities caused by the downturn of the global economy, and focused on strengthening its military capabilities to protect its national interests. However, environmental issues, growing international scrutiny about a fair war crimes trial, human rights concerns, the India-Bangladesh border, and transit and water sharing arrangements remain key challenges.
TL;DR: The 2011 was a year of significant change in Myanmar as discussed by the authors, and by year-end, there was hope that political and economic reforms were at last underway, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited at the end of November.
Abstract: Overall, 2011 was a year of significant change in Myanmar. By year-end, there was hope that political and economic reforms—incomplete and fragile—were at last underway. Myanmar continued to be an important regional exporter of energy and resources, but in other areas underperformed. Myanmar9s international relations improved, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited at the end of November.
TL;DR: This article argued that an emerging Singaporeanness antithetical to the necessary inter-communal divisions required for corporatism poses a strong challenge to the manner in which the city-state is governed.
Abstract: Although the normative ideal of multiculturalism is the accommodation of communal differences, Singaporean multiculturalism is instead integral to a corporatist form of governance. This article argues that an emerging Singaporean-ness antithetical to the necessary inter-communal divisions required for corporatism poses a strong challenge to the manner in which the city-state is governed.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on India9s relationship with Sri Lanka in examining why a regional power failed to manage a conflict in its immediate neighborhood, including its concerns about China.
Abstract: This article focuses on India9s relationship with Sri Lanka in examining why a regional power failed to manage a conflict in its immediate neighborhood. Historical and domestic factors help explain India9s largely hands-off policy (1991–2006). In contrast, regional and international factors underpin its support of Colombo9s military campaign against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, including New Delhi9s concerns about China.
TL;DR: In 2011, corruption and political infighting continued to dominate the headlines in Indonesia and new developments dragged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono9s popularity down to all-time lows.
Abstract: Corruption and political infighting continued to dominate the headlines in Indonesia in 2011. While lawmakers and political parties continued to be deeply unpopular, new developments dragged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono9s popularity down to all-time lows. Religious violence ticked upward and took new forms. Meanwhile, the economy posted strong gains, and the government continued to look for ways to raise its profile on the international stage.
TL;DR: A majority of Filipinos indicated in a national survey that they are not sure if Benigno Aquino, III, will succeed or fail in his presidency as mentioned in this paper, this uncertainty stems from his unconventional style of governance and the gravity of the domestic and international problems he faces.
Abstract: Early this year, a majority of Filipinos indicated in a national survey that they are not sure if Benigno Aquino, III, will succeed or fail in his presidency. This uncertainty stems from his unconventional style of governance and the gravity of the domestic and international problems he faces. Moreover, his style of governance is generally perceived by the Filipinos as reactive and lackluster—a fact attributed to his first year in office, a difficult period of learning and adjustment.