'South-East Asia: A Political Profile' Damien Kingsbury: (Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 2001)

Abstract

Locating good general texts that can be used in teaching both introductory and more advanced undergraduate units on the history, society and politics of South-East Asia is difficult. This is especially the case if one wants a text that self-consciously situates itself within a broader body of theoretical discussion and debate. To some extent, this ambitious volume by Kingsbury fits the bill. In part 1, comprised of 4 Chapters, the author discusses and defines a number of key concepts that are used throughout the text. In Part II (5 Chapters) and Part 3 (6 Chapters), the author offers a descriptive political history of each state in South-East Asia, including the newest state of East Timor. As the author makes clear, this is not a text for the specialist. Rather, it has been written for those with little or prior knowledge of the history and politics of the region. Generally, speaking, Kingsbury has produced a book that achieves its stated objectives. However, although I would include this book as a general reference for my students, I would not set it as a main text. There are three main reasons for this assessment.