International Relations in Southeast Asia - (Asia in World Politics) 3rd Edition by Donald E Weatherbee (Paperback)

About the Book

This fully revised and updated edition of Donald E. Weatherbee's widely praised text offers a clear and comprehensive introduction to international relations in contemporary Southeast Asia. An invaluable guide to the region, this lucid work will be an essential text for course...

Book Synopsis

This fully revised and updated edition of Donald E. Weatherbee's widely praised text offers a clear and comprehensive introduction to international relations in contemporary Southeast Asia. The author analyzes the efforts of the Southeast Asian states to adapt collectively through the ASEAN Community-building process to the challenges of traditional intraregional security issues, the requirements of the international economy, and the political demands of nontraditional issues such as democracy, human rights, and environmental degradation. Weatherbee warns that autonomy, expressed in the claim to the ASEAN Community's "centrality" to Asia, could be threatened by the strategic impact of China's rise and America's recommitment to regional strategic balance. An invaluable guide to the region, this thoughtful and lucid work will be an essential text for courses on Southeast Asia and on the international relations of the Asia-Pacific.

Review Quotes

"The narrative is crisply written. . . . [T]he study is solid and the material is up-to-date on the issues of human rights and environment; it ends strongly with brief but important descriptions and analysis of the question of where ASEAN fits into the world international order and the issues of terrorism. . . . Highly recommended." --Choice Reviews

"A superb book. Donald Weatherbee combines an encyclopedic knowledge of Southeast Asia with a balanced and erudite style. His updated edition will be invaluable for students and scholars seeking to cross-check facts and events and for the general public looking to understand growing tensions in the region." --David B. H. Denoon, New York University

"This book is an excellent addition to the existing literature on international relations in Southeast Asia. Unlike similar books, its approach is thematic and moves away from a traditionally historical approach. This book is highly recommended for those who want to gain a general understanding of events in Southeast Asia in the context of international relations." --East Asia Integration Studies

"If you are looking for an excellent text on international relations in Southeast Asia from a realist perspective, this book is arguably the best. Weatherbee provides superb insights with strong empirical support that call into question the theoretical validity of liberal institutionalism, functionalism, social constructivism and environmentalism. . . . I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in Southeast Asian politics." --Pacific Affairs

"[Weatherbee's] analyses are clear, insightful, thorough, and persuasive. His new textbook exemplifies these qualities and should be required reading for all those who deem themselves specialists. . . . [A] splendid contribution to the study of Southeast Asia." --Journal of Asian Studies

"A sound introduction to the region. Students will find it accessibly written, with useful guides to further readings, and boxes highlighting and elaborating on key issues and concepts." --Contemporary Southeast Asia

"Veteran Southeast Asia specialist Weatherbee has written an insightful and informative study of the interactions of the peoples of Southeast Asia, both historically and today. The work is both an excellent introduction to the complex story of the region and a useful references volume for specialists." --Foreign Affairs

"Donald Weatherbee, America's leading scholar on Southeast Asia's international relations, presents a panoramic view of how transnational issues are challenging policymakers throughout the region. And he does so with his usual clear-eyed sense of the reality behind the official rhetoric." --John Bresnan, Columbia University

"A remarkable tour d'horizon that applies historical, geographic, anthropological, sociological, and political frameworks for a multidimensional assessment of Southeast Asia's past, present, and future. The book's analysis of domestic and international politics as well as traditional and non-traditional security issues makes it a must for students and policymakers of Asian affairs." --Sheldon W. Simon, Arizona State University

"Weatherbee has written an invaluable textbook which I recommend as required reading for everyone in the academic fields of trade and politics and for those with a fascination for this intriguing, dynamic part of the world." --newbooks.asia

[Weatherbee's] analyses are clear, insightful, thorough, and persuasive. His new textbook exemplifies these qualities and should be required reading for all those who deem themselves specialists. . . . [A] splendid contribution to the study of Southeast Asia.


A remarkable tour d'horizon that applies historical, geographic, anthropological, sociological, and political frameworks for a multidimensional assessment of Southeast Asia's past, present, and future. The book's analysis of domestic and international politics as well as traditional and non-traditional security issues makes it a must for students and policymakers of Asian affairs.


A sound introduction to the region. Students will find it accessibly written, with useful guides to further readings, and boxes highlighting and elaborating on key issues and concepts.


A superb book. Donald Weatherbee combines an encyclopedic knowledge of Southeast Asia with a balanced and erudite style. His updated edition will be invaluable for students and scholars seeking to cross-check facts and events and for the general public looking to understand growing tensions in the region.

Donald Weatherbee, America's leading scholar on Southeast Asia's international relations, presents a panoramic view of how transnational issues are challenging policymakers throughout the region. And he does so with his usual clear-eyed sense of the reality behind the official rhetoric.


If you are looking for an excellent text on international relations in Southeast Asia from a realist perspective, this book is arguably the best. Weatherbee provides superb insights with strong empirical support that call into question the theoretical validity of liberal institutionalism, functionalism, social constructivism and environmentalism. . . . I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in Southeast Asian politics.


The narrative is crisply written. . . . [T]he study is solid and the material is up-to-date on the issues of human rights and environment; it ends strongly with brief but important descriptions and analysis of the question of where ASEAN fits into the world international order and the issues of terrorism. . . . Highly recommended.


This book is an excellent addition to the existing literature on international relations in Southeast Asia. Unlike similar books, its approach is thematic and moves away from a traditionally historical approach. This book is highly recommended for those who want to gain a general understanding of events in Southeast Asia in the context of international relations.


Veteran Southeast Asia specialist Weatherbee has written an insightful and informative study of the interactions of the peoples of Southeast Asia, both historically and today. The work is both an excellent introduction to the complex story of the region and a useful references volume for specialists.


Weatherbee has written an invaluable textbook which I recommend as required reading for everyone in the academic fields of trade and politics and for those with a fascination for this intriguing, dynamic part of the world.

About the Author

Donald E. Weatherbee is Russell Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of South Carolina.