Monarchy in South East Asia

This comprehensive & up-to-date title is the first study to relate the history and contemporary role of the South East Asian monarchy to the politics of the region today.

Roger Kershaw's association with South-East Asia began in 1962, teaching in Malaya. After graduate studies in London at SOAS, he became a lecturer in South-East Asian Studies in two British universities - Hull and Kent - followed by ten years in Brunei. He is now an independent writer and has written extensively on South-East Asian societies.

PART I Opening thoughts 1 Introduction PART II Modern history 2 The colonial era: varieties of Indirect Rule 3 On the threshold of the present: post-war developments 4 Indonesia: the exception that proves the rule? PART III The latest phase 5 Laos: bowing off the stage of history 6 Cambodia: the King with nine lives 7 Malaysia: monarchy overawed 8 Brunei: perks and perils of absolute rule 9 Thailand: a King for all seasons PART IV Closing thoughts 10 Monarchy and democracy PART V Steps retraced 111 Further glimpses of the deeper past