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East Asian Authoritarian Regimes in the Context of the Arab Spring

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Trojnar E.

Hemispheres. Studies on Cultures and Societies

2014

vol. 29

issue 3

103-121

The Arab Spring which swept through the Middle East and the situation of the authoritarian states of East Asia are an interesting phenomenon for political analysis, while the majority of Asians are still not governed freely. This study examines, in a descriptive way, the situation in North Korea, Burma, China, Vietnam, and Laos in their relation to the Arab Spring as a source of inspiration for social riots that lead to systemic changes. It is based on the Western classification of political regimes and the understanding of political changes. Since 2011, the probability of a mass emergence of pro-democratic transformations in authoritarian states of East Asia has remained at the level of supposition. The strong awareness of pragmatism which guides the authoritarian leaders additionally moves this perspective to the category of wishful thinking. The observed political thaw in Burma was not a result of the Arab Spring, but another example of junta’s rationality. The communist parties in the remaining countries insistently defend the order they are familiar with, knowing that the new order could bring about as much good as bad. The North Korean dictator, regardless of the example of Near East, invariably realizes the state’s vision. The transformations in the Arab World did not bring about political reforms in East Asia. On the contrary, the Arab Spring helped those in power control their citizens even closely, which sheds light on political changes in East Asia in the future.

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1 Hemispheres. Studies on Cultures and Societies

1 Trojnar E.

1 2014

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East Asian Authoritarian Regimes in the Context of the Arab Spring