Routledge Nationalism in Southeast Asia - Routledge Modern History

Nationalism in Southeast Asia examines the defining role of nationalism throughout the region's complex history, offering a comprehensive study rarely found in general works on the subject. Author Tarling develops a precise definition of nationalism whilst testing it against Southeast Asian historical contexts, contributing significantly to regional historiography and countering academic isolation of the field. The book explores nationalism's central function in post-colonial nation-building across the region, tracing its relationship with both the democratic movements that secured independence and the authoritarian regimes that followed in subsequent decades. This Routledge Studies volume bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical Southeast Asian examples, making it essential reading for historians, students, and scholars examining how nationalist movements shaped modern Asia.