The editors of this collection bring together scholars of comparative politics, political philosophy and democratic theory to investigate the vital transformative role of dissident democratic leaders in Asia. The contributors explore the challenges and obstacles faced by leaders seeking to introduce reforms into regimes that are either imperfectly democratic or frankly hostile to democratic practices and institutions. It also examines the way leaders conduct themselves democratically in the course of their struggle and how they respond to demands to maintain democratic dissent once they succeed.

This book explores the challenges and obstacles faced by dissident leaders in Asia seeking to introduce reforms into regimes that are either imperfectly democratic or frankly hostile to democratic practices and institutions.