Following Barrington Moore Jr., this book raises doubts about modernization theory's claim that an advanced economy with extensive social differentiation is incompatible with authoritarian rule. Authoritarian modernism in East Asia (Northeast and Southeast Asia) has been characterized by economically reformist but politically conservative leaders who have attempted to learn the secrets of authoritarian rule in modern society. They demobilize civil society while endeavoring to establish an ethical form of rule and claim reactionary culturalist legitimation. With China, East Asia is home to the most important country in the world today that is rapidly modernizing while attempting to remain authoritarian.

Argues that there is a conservative authoritarian route to the modern world, following Barrington Moore Jr. Discusses key leaders Ito Hirobumi (Meiji Japan), Lee Kuan Yew (Singapore), and Deng Xiaoping (China) Suggests that the debate is less about "Asia" versus the "West" than authoritarian as opposed to liberal-democratic modernity

Autorentext

Mark R. Thompson is Professor and Head, Department of Asian and International Studies and Director, Southeast Asia Research Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 2. Discovering Authoritarian Modernism: Secrets of the State.- 3. Becoming Authoritarian Modern: Escaping the Modernization Trap.- 4. Learning Authoritarian Modernism: China's "Singapore Model".- 5. Legitimizing Authoritarian Modernism: Reactionary Culturalism.- 6. Conclusion.