Parliaments and Political Change in Southeast Asia: A Comparative Study of India, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand

Correct title: "Parliaments and Political Change in Asia" -- This study of the national parliaments of India, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand is inspired by four major theoretical discourses: neo-institutionalism, parliamentarianism versus presidentialism, majoritarian versus consensus democracy, and transition theory. The book examines the specific role of parliaments in political decision-making, regime change, democratisation, and consolidation of democracy in a comparative perspective. It argues that parliaments play a greater part in the political decision-making than is often asserted and that there is no cogent causal relationship between parliamentary performance and system of government. -- Contents: Introduction; Historical Background; Parliaments and Regime Change; Parliaments and Constitutions; Parliaments and Elections; Parliaments and Political Parties; Parliamentary Inclusiveness: The Social Profile; The Internal Structure of Parliaments; Parliamentary Functions; Conclusion: Reputation, Reform, and the Future of Parliaments; References; Index