Dilemmas of Statehood in Southeast Asia

Among the recently decolonized states of Southeast Asia'nation-building' has become a commonplace expression ofgovernmental intent. This study of political life in the region drawsan important distinction, however, between political integration andthe more ambitious ideal of national integration. The former requires acommon government; the latter a common people. It is argued with effectthat the more urgent task facing the new states of the region is theestablishment of a viable statehood, which cannot wait upon the priorcreation of a national consciousness. The problems involved in thisexercise in political order are discussed under headings whichhighlight the key factors in the political condition of SoutheastAsia. In addition, this study looks also at the experience ofintraregional conflict and considers the increasingtly importantquestions of the prospects of greater association between independentstates, each of whom cherishes jealously national sovereignty.