This unusual study discloses the public discourse among educated, urban Southeast Asians in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, and considers how these people conceive of their society and its problems and process. It examines basic patterns of thought, the interpretation of observed behavior, the opinions of public intellectuals, and the dianoses of novelists. Together these provide the basis for evaluating whether or not an activist civil society can develop. Because of the muddled situation prevailing in the countries under scrutiny, the emergence of a public committed to seems to be a necessary condition for strengthening the society and civilizing the state. Will it happen?
Penulis menyingkapkan wacana publik di kalangan terdidik yang hidup di perkotaan Asia Tenggara serta menelusuri bagaimana mereka berpikir tentang masyarakat dan segala permasalahannya. Niels menyajikannya dengan cara mengamati pola dasar pemikiran, pendapat para intelektual publik, diagnosa para penulis novel, dan tafsiran atas perilaku yang tampak.