In this book, James Dorsey and Teresita Cruz-del Rosario investigate the theme of global transitions with a cross-regional comparative study of two areas experiencing change over the past three decades: Southeast Asia and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Political transitions in Asia have been the subject of interest in academic and policy-making communities recently as there are encouraging signs of democratization in countries that exhibit elements of authoritarianism. In those countries with relatively open political systems, transitions to democracy have been complete – albeit messy, flawed, and highly contested. In contrast, countries of the MENA region that have been gripped by revolts in recent years find themselves in the midst of chaotic and uncontrollable transitions. Why are there such differences between these regions? What, if anything, can be learned and applied from the transitions in Southeast Asia? These questions are answered here as Asia’s experience is contrasted with the Arab revolts and the struggle of the different countries in the MENA region to fashion a new social contract between states and citizens.

About the Authors

Dr James M. Dorsey is a Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, a syndicated columnist and the author of the blog, The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer. A veteran, award-winning foreign correspondent whose career focused on ethnic and religious conflict, James focuses at RSIS on political and social change in the Middle East and North Africa, the impact of change in the Middle East and North Africa on Southeast and Central Asia and the nexus of sports, politics and society in the Middle East and North Africa and Asia.

Dr Teresita Cruz-del Rosario is Head of Policy and Research at Dialogue of Civilizations and Senior Research Associate at the Asia Research Institute at the National University of Singapore. Her current research interests are on historical/sociological connections between the Middle East and Southeast Asia, with a focus on religion and globalisation, migration and development. She has co-authored a book (with James M Dorsey) on Comparative Political Transitions in Southeast Asia and the Middle East and has just completed a co-edited volume on The Developmental State: Comparative North-South Perspectives. She has a background in Sociology, Social Anthropology and Public Policy from New York University, Harvard University and Boston College.

Program

430-445PM: Introduction by the Chairperson, Saif Bhatti

445-545PM: Presentation by Dr James Dorsey and Teresita Cruz-del Rosario

545-7PM: Discussion

7PM: Tea

Organized by: Islamic Renaissance Front