Recommended for These Courses
Description
Comparing Asian Politics presents an invaluable comparative examination of politics and government in three Asian nations: India, China, and Japan. The author elucidates the links between politics and each nation’s distinctive cultural and historical contexts and demonstrates the intermingling and grafting of Asian traditions with the influence of Western values and institutions. National identity, political cohesion, and socioeconomic change emerge as central to how politics has developed in each nation-state. Including new focus boxes on political and social issues and other important countries in Asia, this third edition provides insight into topics such as the significance of constitutions in the political process; the parliamentary system in Asia; the regionalization of politics and the importance of levels of government; the decay of one-party rule; the links between development and democratization; and the impact of globalization. This essential book not only illuminates the politics of India, China, and Japan in relation to one another, it also suggests to readers how their own experience of politics can be informed by understanding the politics and government of these three Asian nations.
Sue Ellen M. Charlton is professor of political science at Colorado State University where she teaches courses in comparative politics and international development.
About the Author
Sue Ellen M. Charlton is professor of political science at Colorado State University where she teaches courses in comparative politics and international development.
"This is a valuable resource for students studying Asian politics at the college level. It displays sensitivity to the influence of culture and history on contemporary politics, directs attention both to comparative analysis and the implications of globalization, and shows how the examination of Asian politics raises questions about Euro-American assumptions. Superb pictures, useful tables, and notes on books and films for further exploration enrich this well-written text."
—Jana Everett, University of Colorado Denver
"The great appeal of Comparing Asian Politics for an undergraduate classroom is its truly comparative approach. With an engaging style, Charlton emphasizes important regional themes through interwoven case studies of three important Asian countries. She emphasizes historical and cultural contexts in her analysis of contemporary political dynamics and dilemmas. Consequently, readers see linkages between regional and national phenomena and patterns across time—excellent training for the undergraduate students of politics."
—Kimberly Lanegran, Coe College
“For those of us tasked with teaching the introduction to Asian politics course, finding the right book is always a struggle. This third edition of Charlton’s Comparing Asian Politics is the answer… . Its focus on the big three, India, China and Japan, with both individual and comparative themes, is just right… . It is well written and up to date. I highly recommend it for any introduction to Asian politics course.”
—Ronald J. Hrebenar, University of Utah
Praise for Previous Editions:
"India, China, and Japan, three countries with three very different political systems representing over one third of the Earth's population, are brought together in one text that methodically and comparatively explores each state. Professor Charlton presents a historically based political and cultural analysis that is the essence of comparative politics."
— Dr. Kevin J. Cooney, Department of Political Science, Arizona State University
"By highlighting issues not typically raised in comparative politics texts, Charlton has provided us with a novel approach to Asian politics. Putting gender issues, environmental concerns, and ethnic divisions on center stage enables students to see ways in which Asian societies are maintaining their connection to the past while forging into the future. A singular and important new textbook for all who teach Asian and Pacific Rim courses."
—Jean C. Robinson, Indiana University
1. Introduction: Themes in Asian Politics
Part I People and Politics
2. India
3. China
4. Japan
Part II The Foundation of Politics
5. Indian National Identity: Secular or Hindu?
6. Recreating the Chinese Nation-State
7. Japan: Tension in Tradition
Part III Government Structures: Form And Substance
8. Constitutions
9. The Parliamentary System in Asia: India and Japan
10. China: The Party-State System
11. Levels of Government and Regionalism
Part IV The Individual And The State
12. The Decay of One-Party Rule: Legitimacy and Stability
13. Development, Democratization, and Human Security
14. Asian Politics and Global Transformation
15. Conclusion: Asia in the Twenty-first Century
Order from an online bookseller
Find a local bookseller
(Check your local Yellow Pages for a bookstore near you.)
International online orders
Domestic and International offline orders
The Perseus Books Group
Customer Service Department
1094 Flex Drive
Jackson, TN 38301
Return to top