..., and results were mixed in the other four categories. In particular, these two years were instrumental for institutionalizing democratic practices due to timely local, provincial, and federal elections. However, as in preceding years, this review indicates a need for significant efforts to improve...

...Li Narangoa As in 2020, the biggest stories in Mongolia in 2021 and 2022 were elections, COVID-19, and how to cope with the contracting economy. At the end of the year, Mongolia was struggling to meet public health challenges and to recover from the economic downturn. Both the government...

...Yoshifumi Tamada While Thailand’s military government has attempted to postpone a general election, it is inevitable. In preparation for elections, the junta founded a pro-junta party and propped it up vigorously while continuing to impose restrictions on anti-junta parties. © 2019 by The Regents...

...Anthony Milner The Najib government continued to consolidate its political hold on Malaysia in 2017. Various factors, including a moderately improved economic situation and a relatively generous 2018 budget, suggested that it had good prospects for winning the next election, to be held...

...Stephen McCarthy The general election dominated events in Myanmar, while the government pushed for a Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement before the polls. Attention was drawn to student protests and the plight of the Rohingya boat people. Major flooding caused havoc throughout the country and moderated...

...Robert J. Pekkanen; Saadia M. Pekkanen It was all about Abe in 2014. With few intra-party challengers, a divided and weak opposition, and a huge victory in a December snap election gamble, Japan’s Prime Minister Abe finds unusual scope to lead the nation both domestically as well as internationally...

..., and foreign direct investment increased. Myanmar reveled in its role as ASEAN chair and host for President Obama’s visit. © 2015 by the Regents of the University of California 2015 Constitution reforms ceasefire peace election census economy TIN MAUNG MAUNG THAN Myanmar in 2014 Great...

...Anas Malik Pakistan made history, with an elected civilian government completing a full five-year term in 2013 before turning power over to another elected civilian government. Elections saw high turnout, bringing Nawaz Sharif back as prime minister. Though former military ruler Pervez Musharraf...

...Meredith L. Weiss The incumbent coalition claimed victory in Malaysia’s 13th general elections in May 2013, securing a simple majority of parliamentary seats despite losing the popular vote. The dramatic result raises questions not only about the probity of the electoral process in Malaysia...

...Ying Sun This paper examines the origin and historical development of independent candidates in People’s Congress elections of mainland China. It discusses the motives and strategies of independent candidates, and how the Party-state copes with the growing independent candidate movement. Ying...

.... And a large scale protest over electoral cheating turned violent. Meanwhile, the economy remained on an even keel, while the government negotiated with the U.S. over entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership. © 2013 by The Regents of the University of California 2013 Malaysia election Najib Anwar...

...Junhan Lee; Wonjae Hwang This paper explores the partisan effects of voter turnout in 12 Korean elections. We argue theoretically and show empirically that hypothetical increases in turnout generate benefits for left-wing or minor parties, rather than right-wing or major parties. Complete voter...

...William Case Brunei Darussalam remained untroubled throughout 2011. The government experimented with greater political openness and social reforms. It organized an election for at least part of its Legislative Council. It continued to make advances on women's and environmental issues. Meanwhile...

...David Arase The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) defeated the Liberal Democratic Party in a lower house election, ending its 54-year reign. The DPJ began bold steps to democratize Japan's political system and reconsider the country's position vis-à-vis the U.S. and Asia. © 2010 By the Regents...

...James Ockey The year 2007 marked a return to parliamentary rule in Thailand, with a new Constitution approved in August and elections in December. With democracy, some fear the return of popular former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, overthrown in the coup of 2006. Attempts by the coup group...

...Natsuyo Ishibashi This paper investigates why the Iraq issue did not become decisive enough to topple Japan's LDP-Komeitō coalition government in the November 2003 lower house election, even though the majority of the public opposed the Iraq war and the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces to Iraq...

... system. © 2006 by The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. 2006 Japan election party system prime minister political reform JAPAN S SHIFT TOWARD A WESTMINSTER SYSTEM A Structural Analysis of the 2005 Lower House Election and Its Aftermath Margarita Estévez-Abe...