Date:

Governance and Politics in SouthEast Asia

Anthony Reid’s Preface (Reading)

Question/s: Main Ideas: Southeast Asia's Unique Characteristics and

Significance
How has the “fact” of
differing cultures or diversity, ● Southeast Asia's Distinctiveness:
in general, in SEA ○ Environment: Diverse climate, dense forests, extensive
contributed to the region’s waterways, and natural catastrophes.
coherence? ○ Preserved Diversity: These factors maintain exceptional
variety and resist large unifying organizations.

● Coherence in Diversity:
○ Unity: Region's coherence arises from its diverse elements.
○ Late State Dominance: Legal bureaucratic states gained
prominence in the 20th century, shaping the region's
history.

● Significance to the World:

○ Three essential reasons for global attention: (Critical
Crossroads)
1. Climate Impact: Tectonic interfaces influence
climate and species survival.
2. Gender Autonomy: Women have greater economic
and social autonomy.
3. Cultural Coherence: Unique cultural and economic
cohesion mechanisms compared to dominant
historical states.

● Climate Influence:
○ Tropical Volcanoes: Research reveals Southeast Asia's
volcanoes as prime suspects affecting global climate
through wind patterns.

● Gender Pattern in Southeast Asia:

○ Distinct from Neighbors: Gender roles differed from China,
India, Middle East.
○ Pre-19th Century Women's Roles: Southeast Asian women
held distinct economic roles with more freedom and
agency.
○ Economic Activities: Women monopolized textile,
ceramic production, shared agriculture, and played key
roles in marketing and business.
○ Challenges for Men: Southeast Asian men faced
challenges in money management and marketing.
○ External Collaboration: European and Chinese male
traders collaborated with local women for business
ventures.
 ● Non-State Societies and Histories:
○ Stateless Interior Societies: Engaged in extensive trade
with coastal monarchies but retained distinct social
organization through kinship and ritual. “The Art of not
being Governed”
○ Rejecting Political Hierarchy: Both groups resisted
incorporation into coastal political hierarchies,
maintaining unique identities.

● Evolution of History:
○ Rethinking Assumptions: Rejection of European and
Chinese notions of civilization and state rise.
○ Shared Recognition: Emphasis on non-state histories as
crucial for understanding evolution.
○ Dethroning the State: Emphasis on non-state influences
like environment, religion, culture, demographics, health,
and intellect, often puts more significance to inhabitants
than royal activities.

Insights
● Southeast Asia's distinctive environmental, cultural, and gender characteristics, coupled
with its historical complexity, play a vital role in shaping its significance on a global scale.
● The region's late state dominance, non-state societies, and unique historical trajectory
contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of its impact and influence in various
aspects of global discourse.

Date:
Governance and Politics in SouthEast Asia

Harry J. Benda’s Review (Democracy in Indonesia)

Question/s: Points to Remember

● The book explores the decline of constitutional democracy
in Indonesia.
● Analysis covers the period from the transfer of sovereignty
in 1949 to the end of the parliamentary system in 1957.
● The author provides detailed narratives of cabinets, events,
and their implications.
● Feith combines historical accounts with conceptual analysis
to understand Indonesian political dynamics.
● He identifies two groups: "problem-solvers" seeking rational
solutions, and "solidarity-makers" emphasizing unity and
ideology.

Criticisms
● Feith criticizes the tendency to examine Indonesia with
Western eyes.
● Authors often ask "What's wrong with Indonesia?" and
attribute issues to colonialism.
● Argues that this approach is misguided, as it overlooks
indigenous historical tendencies.
 ● He emphasizes the significance of Indonesian history and
the continuity of pre-colonial culture.

Historical Perspective
● Feith suggests that modernization under Western influence
has not deeply rooted in Indonesian society.
● The Westernized elite's integration into post-independence
Indonesia has been hindered.
● Indonesian history has a distinct course, and the colonial
era was a deviation from its path.
● The colonial period's changes were important but did not
erase indigenous history.

Continuity and Change

● Feith highlights that modernization in Indonesia is likely to
occur but in Indonesian-derived ways.
● Indonesian-style problem-solving may evolve, influenced
by historical and cultural factors.
● He urges scholars to understand the deep roots and
resilience of indigenous culture.

Challenges of Comparisons
● Feith acknowledges the importance of comparative study,
yet warns against projecting Western models onto
non-Western societies.
● He argues that foreign categories often hinder accurate
understanding of unique historical trajectories.
● Comparisons can be fruitful, but scholars must avoid
oversimplification and consider the uniqueness of each
society.

Insights
● The book contributes a comprehensive analysis of Indonesia's political decline.
● Feith challenges the Eurocentric approach to understanding Indonesia.
● He emphasizes the significance of historical continuity and the distinctiveness of
Indonesian history.
● Feith encourages meaningful comparative studies while avoiding undue generalizations.