The Roots of Resilience

Meredith L. Weiss is Professor of Political Science in the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Her previous books include Protest and Possibilities, Student Activism in Malaysia, and Mobilizing for Elections.

1. Parties, Machines, and Personalities 2. Regimes and Resilience Reconceptualized 3. The Convoluted Political Path to Malaysia 4. Edging toward Sovereign Singapore 5. Competitive Authoritarianism in Malaysia: Consolidated but Challenged 6. Hegemonic Electoral Authoritarianism in Singapore: Firmly Entrenched 7. Drivers of Stasis and Change: Will the Pattern Hold?

Roots of Resilience makes an important contribution to the literature on Malaysia and Singapore by providing historical depth and empirical richness to the argument that dominant parties reshape the political sphere to maximize their advantages. It will serve as a useful reference point in navigating the increasing uncertainty that the dominant parties of both countries face in the years ahead. (Pacific Affairs) A timely analysis of regime durability in Singapore and Malaysia. Weiss has made a significant contribution to the literature on comparative politics, specifically in the subfield of transitology, or the study of why democratic transitions occur. Through her focus on the minutiae of grassroots politics, she has shown just how sophisticated electoral authoritarians have to be to remain in power, and how entrenched their dominance is. (Journal of Asian Studies)