Southeast Asian governments followed different paths. Comparing them shows which factors mattered where.
Indonesia was a parliamentary democracy from 1950 to 1957. Sukarno's Guided Democracy followed (1959-1965), then Suharto's army-backed New Order (1966-1998). Free elections returned in 1999.
The Philippines was a democracy run by a few powerful families from 1946 to 1972. Then it became a dictatorship under martial law. Democracy returned in 1986.
Thailand swung between army rule and elected government. Army-led governments fell in 1973 and 1992. A new constitution in 1997 strengthened democracy.
Burma was a parliamentary democracy from 1948 until Ne Win's coup in 1962. The military then ruled until well after 2000.
Malaysia and Singapore kept parliaments and regular elections throughout. In Malaysia the Alliance, later the Barisan Nasional, won every election. In Singapore the PAP did. Both used security laws against opponents.
- Indonesia
- 1950 parliamentary; 1959 Guided Democracy; 1966 New Order; 1999 elections.
- Philippines
- 1946 democracy; 1972 martial law; 1986 restored.
- Burma
- 1948 democracy; 1962 military rule.
Worked example: Grouping countries for an essay
How can you compare at least three countries?
- Group 1: democracies that became authoritarian - Indonesia, the Philippines, Burma.
- Group 2: swings between military and civilian rule - Thailand.
- Group 3: stable electoral systems with controls - Malaysia, Singapore.
- Group 4: one-party communist states - Vietnam.
Watch out for this
All Southeast Asian countries followed the same path.
Paths differed. Malaysia and Singapore kept elections throughout, Burma stayed under military rule, and the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia moved back towards democracy.
Check your understanding
Which country kept regular elections and a dominant party throughout?
- Singapore
- Burma
- Vietnam