Journal article
Political parties and political Engineering in the Asia-Pacific region
AsiaPacific Issues, Vol.71
12/2003
Abstract
Democracies need both strength and flexibility--enough structure to transform a kaleidoscope of public opinion into coherent debate and effective policy, but enough openness to protect individual rights. Finding this balance is a particular challenge in ethnically diverse emerging democracies. Political parties usually serve a country best when they are limited in number, strong, and broad-based. Their evolution was once left mainly to chance; today, governments often seek to influence the process. Among those attempting reforms are Papua New Guinea, home to hundreds of languages; Indonesia, with its separatist movements; the Philippines, experimenting with ways to balance party interests with other social concerns; and Thailand, whose once fragmented political scene seems headed toward domination by one party. Their strategies for encouraging stable party systems range from minimum-vote thresholds to efforts to stiffen internal party discipline. Much can be learned from these Asia Pacific efforts at political engineering--including the need for a cautious approach that minimizes unforeseen consequences and costs.
Details
- Title
- Political parties and political Engineering in the Asia-Pacific region
- Authors/Creators
- B. Reilly (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- AsiaPacific Issues, Vol.71
- Publisher
- Honolulu: East-West Center
- Identifiers
- 991005541079507891
- Copyright
- © 2003 East-West Center
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Sir Walter Murdoch School of Public Policy and International Affairs
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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