140360 SE VM6 / VM1 - State and Development in Southeast Asia (2017S)

Southeast Asia is a region with a long history and rich traditions of statehood that have inspired political scientists and scholars of other disciplines since long. The sophisticated irrigation systems of ancient Angkor gave rise to the concept of 'hydraulic despotism'; the Kingdoms of the Southeast Asian mainland inspired the concept of the 'Mandala state' and more recently the seminal work of James Scott on 'Zomia'. During the times of colonialism, almost every European colonial power was present in Southeast Asia and left its traces in form of colonial bureaucracies, law or other aspects of statehood. The success of so called Developmental States in Singapore and Malaysia, but also more recent developments such as the consolidation of authoritarian regimes in Thailand and the Philippines are more recent examples of statehood This long and diverse history provides rich empirical data for a theory of the state in the periphery.

The seminar will give an introduction into general concepts of the state and statehood in the periphery/Global South at the example of states in Southeast Asia. We will draw on universal theories of statehood in the Global South, - with a focus on critical state theory - as much as on post-colonial and 'area studies' approaches.

The seminar will give an introduction into general concepts of the state and statehood in the periphery/Global South at the example of states in Southeast Asia. We will draw on universal theories of statehood in the Global South, - with a focus on critical state theory - as much as on post-colonial and 'area studies' approaches.