Choose a country and see which factors shaped its government.
Which country best shows elite choices overriding the decolonisation experience?
Indonesia
- Revolution against the Dutch, 1945-1949.
- The army destroys the PKI, 1965-1966.
Revolution and the Cold War made the army a ruling force.
Sukarno's choice of Guided Democracy in 1959 also mattered.
The Philippines
- US-style democracy from 1946.
- Martial law in 1972.
Marcos overturned the democracy the country had inherited.
People Power restored democracy in 1986.
Malaysia
- Negotiated independence, 1957.
- Regular elections won by the Alliance and Barisan Nasional.
Negotiated decolonisation and an elite coalition kept elections going.
Security laws limited the opposition.
Thailand
- Never colonised; 1932 revolution.
- Uprisings in 1973 and 1992.
Military elites dominated, but the masses forced change.
The monarchy also shaped outcomes.