Consolidating power in Southeast Asia

H2 History - syllabus 9174, 2027

How Southeast Asian governments built and kept power through leaders, elections, the military, monarchy and religion, and performance, how they dealt with opposition, and how successful they were.

• The role of government leaders

  Leaders built power in different ways: through a strong party, the army, personal charisma or networks of favours. Their choices shaped how long they lasted.

• Constitutions and elections

  Elections gave governments legitimacy, so even authoritarian rulers held them. Ruling parties shaped the rules to make sure they won.

• The military as a source of power

  In Indonesia, Burma and Thailand the army was the backbone of government. In the Philippines, the army's decision to abandon Marcos helped bring him down.

• Traditional institutions: monarchy and religion

  Monarchy and religion could give governments deep legitimacy, but they could also be used against rulers.

• Government performance

  Delivering growth, jobs and housing gave governments strong legitimacy. Economic failure often brought rulers down.

• Political challenges and popular opposition

  Governments faced communists, ethnic rebels, Islamic movements and protesting students. They responded with repression, co-option and reform.

• Judging the outcomes of consolidation

  Some governments kept power for decades; others collapsed. Those that combined several sources of legitimacy lasted longest.

• Put it together: Sources of power

  Choose a source of power and test how far it kept governments in office.