Introduction: Introduction to The New Political Economy of Southeast Asia

This is a very interesting book. It is topical and is one of the few volumes that attempts to treat Southeast Asia as an integrated whole. The editors are methodologically ambitious, and they skillfully integrate a very large amount of diverse material in their introduction. I imagine that the book would be adopted widely for courses in Asian studies and political economy.’
– Hal Hill, The Australian National University

‘The different parts of the Southeast Asian puzzle fit better together as a consequence of reading this valuable book, which brings history back in to show how regions learn from each other and establish an identity.’
– Alice Amsden, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US

This well-researched book examines the dramatic transformation of Southeast Asian countries from agricultural and mining economies to industrial nations.

In doing so, it explores the effects of development policy on a number of interdisciplinary issues, and the emergence of new social and political pressures created by industrialization. These include their heightened vulnerability to complex economic crises, their use of sophisticated instruments in the labour process and increased awareness of environmental issues. The distinguished authors present a regional and cross-border focus on transnational actors and institutions, and the policy issues and problems which have a wider impact on spatial configurations in the region.

This insightful study will appeal to researchers, academics and policymakers working on the economics and development of Southeast Asia.