Subject Area: Asian Studies
This course can also be studied in the following specialisation: History, Indonesian Studies

The course focuses on modern Southeast Asia since the end of the colonial period until the present day. Instead of the traditional interpretation, which sees a trend towards authoritarianism, we shall read history and politics in contemporary Southeast Asia as an unresolved conflict between two competing systems -- dictatorship and democracy. The regimes of Marcos, Suharto, Mahathir, Lee Kuan Yew, the Khmer Rouge, Burma under the tatmadaw (army), the monarchy and military in Thailand, and Vietnam since 1989 will provide some case studies through which to analyse Southeast Asian political dynamics, including corruption, nepotism, kinship politics, social movements, and the links between religion and politics. In addition, you will learn about contemporary issues such as migration, the rise of the Middle Classes including post-renovation Vietnam, the many faces of tourism, gender and women’s issues, and the effect of natural disasters on the region.