Alexander C. Tan

Shaping the Asia-Pacific studies some of the most important political leaders in the region. It shows how they and their different approaches to domestic and foreign affairs have shaped the region, as well as the impact that these leaders have had on international politics across the world. The scholars featured in this book are a diverse group of renowned subject-matter experts from both within and outside the Asia-Pacific region.Leaders matter. The role of leaders should not be underestimated when it comes to a state's international relations. As agenda-setters, they play a crucial role in shaping and influencing a nation's foreign policy — forging alliances, negotiating treaties, and representing their countries on the global stage. They impact the world through the ideas they bring and the actions they take. This is no different in the Asia-Pacific. Since the end of the Second World War, this part of the world that was once marginalized in global politics has emerged as a crucial geopolitical and economic player. The strategic trajectory of the region has been defined and shaped by the visionary policies, leadership, and influence of voices such as Shinzo Abe, Bob Hawke, Kim Dae-jung, Narendra Modi, Deng Xiaoping, Xi Jinping, Lee Kuan Yew, Mahathir Mohamad, Helen Clark, Fidel Ramos, and Lee Teng-Hui. This study analyses their leadership styles, their policy initiatives, and the effects they have had on international affairs, highlighting the enduring significance of individual agency in foreign policy.

This title was first published in 2000. The author offers a contribution to the ongoing debate on the rise of the cartel party in democratic systems of government. His study examines the question of whether the decline in party size impacts democratic development and concludes by discussing implications for the future.

This title was first published in 2000. The author offers a contribution to the ongoing debate on the rise of the cartel party in democratic systems of government. His study examines the question of whether the decline in party size impacts democratic development and concludes by discussing implications for the future.

This title was first published in 2001. Clearly structured and very accessible, this book rigorously examines the key issues affecting Taiwan’s increasingly precarious position as an independent nation. An impressive supplementary resource text for Asian politics and international relations courses.

This title was first published in 2001. Clearly structured and very accessible, this book rigorously examines the key issues affecting Taiwan’s increasingly precarious position as an independent nation. An impressive supplementary resource text for Asian politics and international relations courses.

Reformers have promoted mixed-member electoral systems as the “best of both worlds.” In this volume, internationally recognized political scientists evaluate the ways in which the introduction of a mixed-member electoral system affects the configuration of political parties. The contributors examine several political phenomena, including cabinet post allocation, nominations, preelectoral coalitions, split-ticket voting, and the size of party systems and faction systems. Significantly, they also consider various ways in which the constitutional system—especially whether the head of government is elected directly or indirectly—can modify the incentives created by the electoral system. The findings presented here demonstrate that the success of electoral reform depends not only on the specification of new electoral rules per se but also on the political context—and especially the constitutional framework—within which such rules are embedded.