The eleven countries of Southeast Asia are diverse in every way, from the ethnicities and religions of their residents to their political systems and levels of prosperity. These nations—Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Brunei, and East Timor—are each undeniably unique, yet the vestiges of their shared traditions mean that each country is also characteristically Southeast Asian. In Southeast Asia: A Very Short Introduction, James R. Rush traces the history of the region, beginning with its earliest settled communities (ca. 3000 BCE) through its long classical period of "mandala" kingdoms. Rush then delves into the four centuries of colonial penetration, from the Portuguese invasion of Melaka in 1511 to the Japanese conquest of the colonies in World War II. This is followed by discussion of the subsequent independence movements and the Vietnam War. Rush also traces the history of the region's relations with India and China—he tells the story of the foundation and evolution of the region-defining Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), explaining how all these events helped shape the countries of Southeast Asia into the stable nations we know today: democracies, dictatorships, and constitutional monarchies alike. Rush covers the recent ethno-religious violence in Myanmar, military rule and democratization in Indonesia, the environmental consequences of agribusiness and unchecked urbanization, and big-power alignments and tensions involving the United States, China, and Japan. A synthesis of the research and insights of leading scholars, Southeast Asia: A Very Short Introduction provides an easy-to-grasp analysis of contemporary Southeast Asia that accommodates its bewildering ethnic, religious, and political complexities while exposing the underlying patterns that make it a recognizable world region. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Rush, James R.

IRL Press at Oxford University Press

Oxford Institute for Energy Studies

German Historical Institute London

United Kingdom and Ireland, United Kingdom

Illustrated, 1, PS, 2018

Oxford, 2017

Oxford, 2018

The eleven countries of Southeast Asia are diverse in every way, from the ethnicities and religions of their residents to their political systems and levels of prosperity. These nations--Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Brunei, and East Timor--are each undeniably unique, yet the vestiges of their shared traditions mean that each country is also characteristically Southeast Asian.In <em>Southeast Asia: A Very Short Introduction</em>, James R. Rush traces the history of the region, beginning with its earliest settled communities (ca. 3000 BCE) through its long classical period of "mandala" kingdoms. Rush then delves into the four centuries of colonial penetration, from the Portuguese invasion of Melaka in 1511 to the Japanese conquest of the colonies in World War II. This is followed by discussion of the subsequent independence movements and the Vietnam War. Rush also traces the history of the region's relations with India and China--he tells the story of the foundation and evolution of the region-defining Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), explaining how all these events helped shape the countries of Southeast Asia into the stable nations we know today: democracies, dictatorships, and constitutional monarchies alike.Rush covers the recent ethno-religious violence in Myanmar, military rule and democratization in Indonesia, the environmental consequences of agribusiness and unchecked urbanization, and big-power alignments and tensions involving the United States, China, and Japan. A synthesis of the research and insights of leading scholars, <em>Southeast Asia: A Very Short Introduction</em> provides an easy-to-grasp analysis of contemporary Southeast Asia that accommodates its bewildering ethnic, religious, and political complexities while exposing the underlying patterns that make it a recognizable world region.<strong>ABOUT THE SERIES: </strong>The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Straddling The Equator, Southeast Asia Comprises Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, And The Philippines, As Well As Laos, Cambodia, Brunei, And East Timor. Despite Its Extraordinary Diversity Of Ethnicities, Religions, And Political Systems, Southeast Asia Plays A Keyrole In Global Economies And Geopolitics, Especially In Light Of Its Strategic Position Bordering China And India. This Very Short Introduction Explores The Contemporary Character Of Southeast Asia's National Societies Through The Lens Of Their Historical Evolution, From The Eras Of Indigenouskingdoms And Colonies Under Western Rule To The Present's Independent Nation States. Deftly Combining Historical Analysis And Geopolitical Insights, The Book Paints A Bird's Eye View Of Contemporary Southeast Asia As A Community Of Diverse Societies And Traditions As Well As A Politicaltheater-of-action Nested Between India And China And Tangled In Global Economic Traffic Patterns, Balance Of Powers, And Environmental Forces.as James R. Rush Explains, Archaic Structures, Such As Religious And Ethnic Rivalries, Tenacious Feudal Hierarchies, And Age-old Trade And Migration Patterns, Remain Rooted In Today's Southeast Asia Beneath The Surface Of Modern National Governments. The Book Draws On A Wide Range Of Examples Fromthe Major Nations, Including The Ethno-religious Violence In Myanmar, The Muslim-led Rebellion In The Southern Philippines, The Thai-cambodian Territorial Rivalries, The Confucian-inspired Governance In Singapore, The Military Rule And Democratization In Indonesia, The Environmental Consequences Ofagribusiness, Mining, And Unchecked Urbanization, And The Big-power Alignments And Tensions Involving The United States, China, And Japan. By Delving Into The Cultural, Political, And Geographical Background Of Southeast Asia, Rush Shows That Southeast Asia Is Unquestionably Modern, But It Is Modernin Distinctively Southeast Asian Ways.

"The countries of Southeast Asia are diverse in every way, from the ethnicities and religions of their residents to their political systems and levels of prosperity. These nations--Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Brunei, and East Timor--are each unique, yet shared traditions mean that each country is also typically Southeast Asian. In this concise study of the region, James R. Rush traces its history from the earliest mandala kingdoms to the colonial era and the present day. Synthesizing the ideas of leading scholars, he provides an analysis of contemporary Southeast Asia that accommodates its bewildering ethnic, religious, and political complexities while exposing the underlying patterns that make it a unified world region"-- Provided by publisher

Despite its extraordinary diversity of ethnicities, religions, and political systems, Southeast Asia plays a key role in global economies and geopolitics, especially in light of its strategic position bordering China and India.

2024-06-29