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Following Barrington Moore Jr., this book raises doubts about modernization theory's claim that an advanced economy with extensive social differentiation is incompatible with authoritarian rule. Authoritarian modernism in East Asia (Northeast and Southeast Asia) has been characterized by economically reformist but politically conservative leaders who have attempted to learn the "secrets" of authoritarian rule in modern society. They demobilize civil society while endeavoring to establish an "ethical" form of rule and claim reactionary culturalist legitimation. With China, East Asia is home to the most important country in the world today that is rapidly modernizing while attempting to remain authoritarian.
List of contents
1. Introduction.- 2. Discovering Authoritarian Modernism: Secrets of the State.- 3. Becoming Authoritarian Modern: Escaping the Modernization Trap.- 4. Learning Authoritarian Modernism: China's "Singapore Model".- 5. Legitimizing Authoritarian Modernism: Reactionary Culturalism.- 6. Conclusion.
About the author
Mark R. Thompson is Professor and Head, Department of Asian and International Studies and Director, Southeast Asia Research Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.
Summary
Following Barrington Moore Jr., this book raises doubts about modernization theory’s claim that an advanced economy with extensive social differentiation is incompatible with authoritarian rule. Authoritarian modernism in East Asia (Northeast and Southeast Asia) has been characterized by economically reformist but politically conservative leaders who have attempted to learn the “secrets” of authoritarian rule in modern society. They demobilize civil society while endeavoring to establish an “ethical” form of rule and claim reactionary culturalist legitimation. With China, East Asia is home to the most important country in the world today that is rapidly modernizing while attempting to remain authoritarian.
Additional text
“This book does an excellent job of exploring the explanatory power of multiple theoretical frameworks such as modernism, democracy, and authoritarianism in East Asian political regimes. … This is a very informative and helpful addition to the existing scholarship on political economy and comparative politics in East Asia.” (Muhammad Hassan Bin Afzal, Democratization, November 11, 2019)
“The field has become increasingly crowded, but there is no doubt in my mind that Thompson’s latest book is one of the few that is a ‘must read.’ … we can be grateful to Thompson for this volume and look forward to seeing more of the same.” (Journal of Contemporary Asia, August 5, 2019)
Report
"This book does an excellent job of exploring the explanatory power of multiple theoretical frameworks such as modernism, democracy, and authoritarianism in East Asian political regimes. ... This is a very informative and helpful addition to the existing scholarship on political economy and comparative politics in East Asia." (Muhammad Hassan Bin Afzal, Democratization, November 11, 2019)
"The field has become increasingly crowded, but there is no doubt in my mind that Thompson's latest book is one of the few that is a 'must read.' ... we can be grateful to Thompson for this volume and look forward to seeing more of the same." (Journal of Contemporary Asia, August 5, 2019)
