The politics of accountability in Southeast Asia : the dominance of moral ideologies /

Rodan (Murdoch Univ., Australia) and Hughes (Univ. of Bradford, UK) argue that morally conservative ideologies, rather than liberal democratic norms, are shaping demands for political accountability in Southeast Asia. Authoritarian and semi-pluralistic regimes in the region, affected by globalization from without and pressure for greater social justice from within, face declining regime legitimacy. In response, political elites are "recasting ... cultural identity, ethical thought, and religious teaching in a manner that serves elite seeking to fend off challenges from competing groups." Case studies examine how human rights promotion, the decentralization of government institutions, and anti-corruption efforts have been co-opted or otherwise managed by oligarchic interests--often via moralistic claims. The end result is an interrupted democratic reform process. Given that underlying theoretical premises of the book relate to the normative origins of political authority, it is surprising that the authors do not make explicit connections to Weber's traditional, charismatic, and rational-legal typology for legitimacy. --Chad Raymond, Salve Regina University