Armed communist movements in Southeast Asia / edited by Lim Joo-Jock
- Aldershot Gower Publication 1984
- 204: ill.
In this book distinguished experts examine the theories that have been put forward to explain the communist or communist-inspired armed uprisings which have occurred in non-communist Southeast Asia. The contemporary manifestations of communist resistance in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand are discussed. It is shown that although such resistance has been largely Maoist-inspired - that is, launched from rural areas - there are significant indications of an emergent strand of Marxism-Leninism. The military, socio-economic, political and cultural factors sustaining the armed communist movements are examined, as well as their ideology and their tactics for mobilising popular support; the viability of their long-term strategies is viewed in the context of prevailing government responses. The book shows that while in some of the countries discussed armed communism faces a bleak future, in others it appears to be gaining momentum.