Explaining the potential for conflict: Malaysia between tradition and modernity

  • Rebecca Hegemann (Author)

Abstract

What happens if an authoritarian state strives for economical modernization? Will it be able to stay in power and adhere to the existing system? Or will a transformation process begin which finally leads to a democratisation of state and society? Malaysia faces exactly this kind of dilemma. This research note provides some starting points for a detailed analysis of this process with the aspect of education in the central role. A modern economy asks for highly skilled, i.e. well educated workers and for a certain set of modern values. This might cause a clash with traditional social values. What has to be examined is whether the government can be successful in harmonising both sets of values and what actions it undertakes to avoid a social and, in the end, a political change.

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Published
2021-09-23