James Gomez, political scientist and regional director of Asia Center, was recently editor -in -chief for a special edition From the Kyoto journal of Southeast Asia, examining the critical challenges facing regional democracies.
Entitled “eroding electoral integrity: reasons to retreat democratic in Southeast Asia”, the question focuses on Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar, where elections took place between 2020 and 2024.
Gomez says that the control of populations is the primordial factor for many governments, which simply have little respect for popular voting, but they depend on economic growth and the increase in living standards, which is difficult.
Gomez spoke with the Luke hunting of the diplomat on the report and his case studies, which give an overview of how the ruling elites have actively worked to reshape electoral systems and institutions Preserve their domination – resulting in democratic regression through Southeast Asia.
The report has revealed that the elections are increasingly revolving around disinformation and disinformation information campaigns, where political parties or power coalitions and government are responsible for the dissemination of false news from their adversaries.
In the future, Gomez claims that the electorates are likely to attend an increased online manipulation from the perspective, during and after the elections in the form of a foreign interference.
He also talks about the fate of young people and university systems that do not provide a promised jobS, excessive dependence on tourism, a mentality of presentation for the poor and heavy attitudes of the leading elites when they respond to the complaints of their people.
The Kyoto review of Southeast Asia is published in collaboration with the Center for Southeast Asian Studies from the University of Kyoto.