Since 2001, Indonesia has undergone a rapid and extensive programme of decentralization governance resources from the centre to local level. This devolution created new class regional political elites shifted significant power back sub-national levels in Indonesia’s centuries’ long history centre-local tensions. While motivations mitigating centrifugal pressures appear be vindicated, anticipated gains service provision downstream economic impacts have not uniformly materialized: efficiency...

Allegations of electoral irregularities loomed large prior to and following Malaysia's 13th general election in May 2013. Yet while these elicited strong reactions domestically internationally, they are unlikely have played a significant role shaping the election's outcome. Rather than how game was played, it very rules itself that were responsible for returning United Malays National Organization its Barisan Nasional coalition power consecutive time, as institutions quietly transformed...

Indonesia’s 2019 presidential election brings a rematch between incumbent Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto, though against backdrop of increasingly active conservative Islamic movements. Analyses this contest – as well contemporary Indonesian politics more generally are often based on assumptions around which constituencies matter political factions they support. This paper examines those using an original dataset fine-grained returns census data, including latent variable to capture the...

This article contributes to the study of ethnic diversity and public goods provision by assessing role spatial distribution groups. Through a new theory that we call interdependence , argue segregation groups can reduce or even neutralize “diversity penalty” in results from fractionalization. is because local allows communities use disparities level compared with other as leverage when advocating for more themselves, thereby ratcheting up across communities. We test this prediction on highly...

Abstract The People's Action Party (PAP) of Singapore is one the world's longest ruling dominant parties, having won every general election since country's independence in 1965. Why do Singaporeans consistently vote for PAP, contrary to expectations democratization theories? We argue that valence considerations—specifically, perceptions party credibility—are main factor voting behavior Singapore's electorate, and are critical explaining PAP's resilience. Furthermore, we primacy politics...

Abstract Contemporary Malaysia is an amalgamation of regions with distinct historical origins and features that provide the raw material for strong regional identities. The Malay‐Muslim nature nation‐building project led by dominant United Malays Nasional Organisation (UMNO) has reified identities sharpening contrast between them Malaysia’s political center. Yet while are often pronounced, Malaysian politics highly centralized, neither deep fragmentation along lines nor meaningful...

Malaysia’s 2018 election ended more than six decades of dominant party rule by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). Three questions are paramount. How did opposition finally achieve victory? What voters who rejected UMNO actually vote for? Finally, what do answers imply for reform and democratization? We argue that Malaysia is comprised four distinct identity-based polities, each with a unique electoral dynamic vision country’s political future. Using this framework provides...

Malaysia's previously hegemonic Barisan Nasional (BN) government was unexpectedly defeated in the 2018 general election despite a fragmented opposition and widespread three-corner fights that theory states should inhibit turnover. Why? We argue opposition-split hypothesis rests on three core assumptions: third parties split only anti-incumbent vote; coalition/party support is relatively uniform across country; are not “elite splits” disguise. The Malaysian context challenges all of these...

Abstract List experiments are a widely used survey technique for estimating the prevalence of socially sensitive attitudes or behaviors. Their design, however, makes them vulnerable to bias: because treatment group respondents see greater number items ( J + 1) than control ), mean may be mechanically inflated due simply items. The few previous studies that directly examine this do not arrive at definitive conclusions. We find clear evidence inflation in an original dataset, though only among...

Governments of ethno-linguistically diverse societies face a difficult dilemma in opting for which language to use the education system. While allowing each ethnic group its own is seen as vital cultural preservation and increasingly basic human right, it may also inadvertently undermine social cohesion by contributing de facto segregation schools. But does educational really beget segregation, especially presence opportunities inter-ethnic contact beyond schools? Using network data from...

Malaysia held a general election in 2022 that was expected to resolve ongoing political instability. Instead, it produced hung parliament, reflecting deeply divided electorate and growing support for Islamist politics. Following royal intervention, Anwar Ibrahim’s progressive coalition formed unity government with the long-dominant UMNO East Malaysian parties; this unprecedented arrangement faces evolving social, political, economic challenges will test its stability very nature of

Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, announced in 2022, targets a “generational shift” foreign policy that responds to the growing economic and strategic centrality of Indo-Pacific. Southeast Asia lies at heart region, making it critical component success or failure decade ahead. This article is intended as primer on Canada-Southeast relationship, summarizing its complex history, myriad opportunities, ongoing challenges. It argues Canada can meet many sustainable growth diversification objectives...

The Trudeau government's foreign policy seeks to return Canada its liberal internationalist roots. Executing this agenda falls upon the affairs bureaucracy, particularly missions and diplomats abroad. Recognizing this, "ungagged" bureaucrats, thereby empowering them engage in public diplomacy that promotes his stated agenda. How responsive have bureaucratic agents been new political directive? We examine available evidence from digital assess whether change communication altered of...

Singapore's 2020 general election was held amidst the most serious public health and economic crises in country's history. Despite expectations that these parallel would precipitate a flight to safety result strong performance by dominant People's Action Party (PAP), ruling party received its third-lowest popular vote share (61.2 percent) lowest-ever seat (89.2 since independence. This article engages explanations for unexpected results argues swing against PAP enabled hitherto largely...

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Malaysia has a federal structure that suggests substantial decentralization. In practice, however, the autonomy of subnational tiers been systematically undermined through range mechanisms examined in this paper, creating system is highly centralized practice. With power concentrated Prime Minister’s Department, elite core dominant United Malays National Organization (UMNO) increased its resilience to political challenges from within and beyond party. This come at expense developmental...

Extensive research has associated ethnic diversity with a range of negative outcomes. But only affects outcomes when it forms the basis social or political division. Can public policy shape identity in ways that reduces divisiveness difference? This paper provides evidence suggests Singapore’s National Service program altered attitudes and behaviors conscripts way may achieve goal. I leverage exogenous variation intensity two unit types for causal identification. Indirect measures are...

The People's Action Party (PAP) of Singapore is one the world's longest ruling dominant parties, having won every general election since country's independence in 1965. Why do Singaporeans consistently vote for PAP, contrary to expectations theories democratization? We argue that valence considerations---specifically, perceptions party credibility---are factor voting behavior Singapore's electorate and a critical piece puzzle PAP's resilience. Furthermore, we primacy politics arose part by...

The multiethnic state of Malaysia has distinct regional identities that have been shaped both by historical and post-independence factors. These play a major role in political mobilization electoral competition. Moreover, their unique religious, linguistic, cultural attributes produce frequent center-periphery tensions. Yet unlike neighboring Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, regionalism not produced any credible secessionist movements or violence. This paper provides an explanation for...