The Making of the Modern Philippines

Zusatztext The Philippines has long seemed something of an enigma to outsiders -- 2,000 disparate islands, ruled as a single political entity for more than 500 years. An indigenous Malay archipelago, but seeming more Spanish than Asian. And a former American colony with a U.S.-style constitution and political system, but a country marred by feudalism, violence and dictatorship. In The Making of the Modern Philippines, journalist and historian Philip Bowring makes sense of the riddle of the Philippines. In a lively narrative that begins in pre-colonial times and continues through colonization and occupation to the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship and the rule of its authoritarian President Rodrigo Duterte, Bowring shows us how the country's modern dark impulses are rooted in its past. This timely book is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand this strategically vital country and its 100 million people, whose destiny could have outsized impact on Asia and the future stability of the region. Informationen zum Autor Philip Bowring is an Asia-based journalist and is an expert on maritime history and the history of Southeast Asia. Klappentext "Well-researched... a welcome guide." The Spectator "Reliable and lucid." History Today With a fractured geography and complex identity, The Philippines is an eclectic and unique mix of culture, environment, people and politics. Known mostly for natural disasters, migrant labour and dictatorial presidents, in this book Philip Bowing shows how it is much, much more. Deftly navigating the history of this populous island republic, The Making of the Modern Philippines traces its history to define and explain its position in the modern world. Looking past the headlines of volcanoes, earthquakes and violence, it asks why has the Filipino economy lagged behind its neighbours, explores the importance of its location in geopolitics, and investigates how its deep-rooted Catholicism clashes with the Islamic consciousness of the region in which it sits. Taking the history of the Philippines from its pre-colonial era, through its Spanish and American occupations and up to the modern day, it unravels the complex politics, culture, peoples and economy of this rich and unique nation. Engaging with challenges the Filipino people face today such as federalism, revolution, Mindanao, the diaspora, capitalism and relations with China, it rediscovers the struggles, culture and history of its past to understand the present. Vorwort A history of The Philippines from the pre-colonial era up to the present day. Zusammenfassung "Well-researched... a welcome guide." The Spectator "Reliable and lucid." History Today With a fractured geography and complex identity, The Philippines is an eclectic and unique mix of culture, environment, people and politics. Known mostly for natural disasters, migrant labour and dictatorial presidents, in this book Philip Bowing shows how it is much, much more. Deftly navigating the history of this populous island republic, The Making of the Modern Philippines traces its history to define and explain its position in the modern world. Looking past the headlines of volcanoes, earthquakes and violence, it asks why has the Filipino economy lagged behind its neighbours, explores the importance of its location in geopolitics, and investigates how its deep-rooted Catholicism clashes with the Islamic consciousness of the region in which it sits. Taking the history of the Philippines from its pre-colonial era, through its Spanish and American occupations and up to the modern day, it unravels the complex politics, culture, peoples and economy of this rich and unique nation. Engaging with challenges the Filipino people face today such as federalism, revolution, Mindanao, the diaspora, capitalism and relations with China, it rediscovers the struggles, ...

Vorwort
A history of The Philippines from the pre-colonial era up to the present day.

Autorentext

Philip Bowring is an Asia-based journalist and is an expert on maritime history and the history of Southeast Asia.

Klappentext

"Well-researched... a welcome guide." The Spectator "Reliable and lucid." History Today With a fractured geography and complex identity, The Philippines is an eclectic and unique mix of culture, environment, people and politics. Known mostly for natural disasters, migrant labour and dictatorial presidents, in this book Philip Bowing shows how it is much, much more. Deftly navigating the history of this populous island republic, The Making of the Modern Philippines traces its history to define and explain its position in the modern world. Looking past the headlines of volcanoes, earthquakes and violence, it asks why has the Filipino economy lagged behind its neighbours, explores the importance of its location in geopolitics, and investigates how its deep-rooted Catholicism clashes with the Islamic consciousness of the region in which it sits. Taking the history of the Philippines from its pre-colonial era, through its Spanish and American occupations and up to the modern day, it unravels the complex politics, culture, peoples and economy of this rich and unique nation. Engaging with challenges the Filipino people face today such as federalism, revolution, Mindanao, the diaspora, capitalism and relations with China, it rediscovers the struggles, culture and history of its past to understand the present.

Inhalt

List of Figures
List of Maps
Preface

Introduction

1. Fractured Geography, Complex Identity
2. More Church than State
3. Uncle Sam's Brown Boys
4. Choices of Evils
5. Old Wine in New Bottles
6. Marcos: Power Corrupts Absolutely
7. Ladders and Snakes
8. Straight Paths and Road Blocks
9. Man with a Gun
10. 'Imperial' Manila's Weak Grip
11. Lost Advantage
12. The Root of Poverty
13. An Unempowered Economy
14. Beyond the Bayan
15. Of "Free Trade" and the Short Arm of the Law
16. Happy Families of Conglomerate Capitalism
17. Mindanao: Beckoning Frontier
18. Moros, Datus, Military and More
19. Religion on its Sleeve
20. Left Field Lies Fallow

21. Foreign Policy: All at Sea
    Conclusion

    Bibliography
    Index