Malaysia: Between Democracy and Authoritarianism
Malaysia: Between Democracy and Authoritarianism

Author(s): Jiří Holík
Subject(s): Governance, Geopolitics
Published by: AMO – Asociace pro mezinárodní otázky
Keywords: competitive authoritarianism; Malaysia; democracy; authoritarianism; economic development; United Malays National Organization; affirmative action; modernization theory; human rights; racial relations; political stability
Summary/Abstract: This paper is focused on the examination of the nondemocratic nature of the political regime in Malaysia. Using the concepts of hybrid regime theory, it has reviewed crucial aspects of this polity and has demonstrated that Malaysia could be analyzed as an instance of competitive authoritarianism which was conceptualized by Levitsky and Way. Malaysia has been labelled a “principle challenger to any thesis that economic development and democracy goes hand in hand“. For the purpose of examining its exceptional position, four different explanations were explored. In doing so, the paper has argued that the regime led by the UMNO has been able to survive thanks to a toolbox of repressive and authoritarian measures combined with limited responsiveness and populist policies directed especially towards the Malay majority. Rhetorically, it has been able to portray itself as a guardian of national unity and safety in face of a complex internal and external situation of Malaysia which has helped augment its legitimacy.

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