Traditionally, the tumultuous period 1930-50 in South East Asia has been viewed as a dichotomy, of European vs Asian or imperialist vs nationalist. This highly acclaimed volume presents another (triangular) perspective and challenges established wisdom about the period.

The general tendency among theorists of nationalism and national identity has been to assume that the modernization process in Asia and Africa is a kind of distorted reflection of a Western precedent; Asian forms of the nation have rarely been seen as independent, alternative models. The aim of this collection is to build on and enforce the theory that Asia is a serious contender in economic discussion. It seeks to demonstrate that in Asia, as well as in Europe, each nation forms a unique amalgam which can be fruitfully compared with others. The relationship between geographical space and national construction is explored in this book.

The general tendency among theorists in nationalism and national identity has been to assume that the modernization process in Asia and Africa is a kind of distorted reflection of a Western precedent; Asian forms of the nation have rarely been seen as independent, alternative models. Among today's leading theoreticians, there is a growing tendency to take Asia seriously, and to include Asian examples in the general discussion. The aim of the present collection is to build on and reinforce this tendency. It does not postulate any specifically Asian form of the nation, as opposed to a Western one. Rather, it seeks to demonstrate that in Asia, as well as in Europe, each nation forms a unique amalgam which can be compared fruitfully with others. History, culture and geography have posed various kinds of limits to what can be imagined (as Benedict Anderson puts it). The relationship between geographical space and national construction is explored in depth here.

The period 1930-50 in Southeast Asia was a tumultuous period. Above all it was marked by the decline and demise of imperial power. Traditionally, this process has been viewed as a dichotomy, of European versus Asian or imperialist versus nationalist. What these papers present, however, is another perspective: one that advocates a triangular approach to the construction of nationality in Southeast Asia. One such triangle which is examined is the power relationship between colonial authorities, traditional rulers and nationalist leaders and their quite different views of the general population: natives, subjects and the people respectively. This is a collection that challenges established wisdom about mid-20th-century imperial policies and nationalism in a region where it thrives. By its nature, this book should be of interest to historians, political scientists and anthropologists alike.

This collection of essays examines the formation of leaders on Java: how they rise to power, stay in power, and pass this on. Approaching the subject from varied academic disciplines, most of the essays deal with rural power but a few address more general issues of leadership.

This text examines how leaders on Java rise to power, stay in power and pass their power on. Most of these essays deal with rural power but a few address more general issues of leadership.

Available Open Access under CC-BY-NC licence. This book explores the critical role that local knowledge plays in public policy processes as well as its role in the co-production of policy relevant knowledge with the scientific and professional communities. The authors consider the mechanisms used by local organisations and the constraints and opportunities they face, exploring what the knowledge-to-policy process means, who is involved and how different communities can engage in the policy process. Ten diverse case studies are used from around Indonesia, addressing issues such as forest management, water resources, maritime resource management and financial services. By making extensive use of quotes from the field, the book allows the reader to 'hear' the perspectives and beliefs of community members around local knowledge and its effects on individual and community life.