The Politics of Timor-Leste: Democratic Consolidation after Intervention (Studies on Southeast Asia, 59) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0877277893 ISBN 13: 9780877277897

Publisher: Southeast Asia Program Publications, 2013

Synopsis

The Politics of Timor-Leste explores the critical issues facing the Asia-Pacific's youngest nation as it seeks to consolidate a democracy following years of international intervention. The authors study the challenges that have burdened the state since it broke from Indonesia amid the violence of 1999 and formally achieved full independence in 2002. They assess the notable accomplishments of Timor-Leste’s leaders and citizens, and consider the country’s future prospects as international organizations prepare to depart. A close study of Timor-Leste sheds light on ambitious state-building projects that have been initiated, with varying success, across the globe.

Contributors to this volume map the nation’s recent political evolution through studies of its constitutional debates, political parties, and foreign policy responses to powerful neighbors. They address the social and economic conditions that complicate Timor-Leste’s political development, such as gender discrimination, poverty, corruption, and security-sector volatility. The contemporary history of Timor-Leste reflects the experiences of many postcolonial and developing countries that have sought to establish a viable state following conflict and a declaration of independence. This small nation has been the subject of five consecutive UN missions with varying mandates. The Politics of Timor-Leste ought to serve as a key source for comparative postcolonial studies and a guide to future trends in international state-building and assistance.

About this title

About the Author

Michael Leach is an Associate Professor in Politics and Public Policy at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. He has written extensively on East Timorese politics and history, and worked as an adviser to Timor-Leste's Ministry of Education and Secretariat of State for Youth and Sports. He is a founder of the Timor-Leste Studies Association.

Review

"The Politics of Timor-Leste is an essential reference point for anyone concerned with the most important political issues to be addressed by the country in the coming years. Its authors provide a comprehensive overview of political parties, and the electoral and judicial systems, and describe the main aspects of development strategies implemented since independence. Insightful analyses are presented of key areas, such as the politics of gender, informal security groups and social movements, and strategies for decentralization. Bringing these topics together in one volume provides a highly useful guide for assessing the possibilities for the continuation and development of democratic processes within Timor-Leste."―John G. Taylor, Professor of Politics, London South Bank University, author of East Timor: The Price of Freedom

Edition details

• Publisher: Southeast Asia Program Publications
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0877277893
• ISBN 13: 9780877277897
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 292
• Editor: Leach Michael, Kingsbury Damien