Transparency and Authoritarian Rule in Southeast Asia

Singapore and Malaysia

By Garry Rodan

Price: $160.00

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About the Book

In Transparency and Authoritarian Rule in Southeast Asia, Rodan rejects the notion that the 1997-98 Asian economic crisis was further evidence that ultimately capitalism can only develop within liberal social and political institutions, and that new technology necessarily undermines authoritarian control. Instead, Rodan argues that in Singapore and Malaysia external pressures for transparency reform were, and are, in many respects, being met without serious compromise to authoritarian rule or the sanctioning of media freedom.

Reviews

'Readers committed to press freedom, justice and democracy will find Rodan's analysis compelling.'

Mustafa K. Anuar, Aliran Monthly, Vol. 24 (6).

'Rodan has written an enlightening, challenging and provocative book in which he questions the assertion that greater financial and economic transparency leads to a more open society.' - Far Eastern Economic Review

Table of Contents

1. Information Control and Authoritarian Rule in East and Southeast Asia: Under Challenge? 2. Bedding Down Media and Information Control in Singapore and Malaysia 3. Bureaucratic Authoritarianism and Transparency Reform in Singapore 4. Keeping Civil Society at Bay: Media in Singapore After the Crisis 5. Crony Capitalism and Transparency Reform in Malaysia 6. Challenges to Media Control in Malaysia Conclusion: Advanced Market Systems, Information Flows and Political Regimes

About the Author(s)

Garry Rodan is Director of the Asia Research Centre, Murdoch University, Australia.