325. The Center Cannot Hold? Trends in Southeast Asian Politics. Sponsored by the Critical Asian Studies Journal

Session Submission Type: Organized Panel

Abstract

This panel, sponsored by the journal Critical Asian Studies, examines recent trends in a range of Southeast Asian polities where old political certainties are being challenged from the peripheries: populism and personality-driven politics that mobilize elements of the electorate that were previously disengaged are becoming increasing ubiquitous; young voters are rejecting the values and preferences of their parents, whose life experiences were dramatically different and whose expectations may be much lower; people in secondary cities are turning against agendas formulated in the capital, galvanized by a new generation of leaders; elections at all levels are being won by outspoken populists who lack conventional support bases but are able to appeal directly to voters on the basis of astute political marketing; social media is creating new counter-publics whose virtual activism potentially up-ends and re-shapes “real” politics; and long-marginalized ethnic minorities are seeking new ways to engage and negotiate with central governments. The panel brings together four scholars with roots in the region who bring empirically-grounded experiences to the conference table. We aim to produce a Critical Asian Studies special issue or published roundtable based on the papers presented.

Area of Study

• Southeast

Session Organizer

• Duncan McCargo, Columbia University

Chair

• Duncan McCargo, Columbia University

Individual Presentations

• Young Cambodians and the Post-UNTAC Political Settlement - Netra Eng, Cambodia Development Research Institute

• Center and Periphery in the Time of Duterte: Deepening Democracy or Restoring Strongman Rule at the Center? - Francisco Jota Lara, University of the Philippines

• Populist Persuasion, Local Leadership, and Social Media in Indonesia - Merlyna Lim, Carleton University

• Myanmar under the NLD: New Government, New Ways? - Ardeth Maung Thawnghmung, University of Massachusetts, Lowell