Democratic Development In East Asia

This book is about the impact of external factors on the development of democracy in East Asia. It looks at how different international structures and actors have affected the development of democracy in China, South Korea, and Taiwan. The book also looks at the impact of the international political economy, the United Nations system, diffuse cultural factors, and democracy movements on the development of democracy in East Asia.

Democratic Development in East Asia explores an important but neglected topic in the literature on democratization in East Asia: the international dimension of democratization. It presents a coherent and comprehensive analysis of the impact of external political, economic and cultural factors on China, South Korea and Taiwan's political development since World War II. The author analyzes the circumstances under which the international context affects domestic actors' choice of political institutions and actions and concentrates on a selection of key international structures and actors that make up this complex picture. Shelley also examines the international political economy, aspects of the United Nations system, diffuse cultural factors and processes, democracy movements, and a number of international non-government organizations. Review: 'There is a lot to like in this volume. Her summaries of the events which preceded democratisation and her accounts of the turning points are concise, reliable and not easily found elsewhere in the English language literature.' - Asian Affairs