From the Back Cover This book draws on the extensive literature on populism, democracy, and emerging markets as well as interviews with senior government officials, experts, and journalists in the Philippines and beyond, This book is the first to analyze the significance and implications of the rise of Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte within a rapidly-changing Asia Pacific region. As China's power in the Pacific grows rapidly, nations that have traditionally been US allies, such as the Phillipines, are experiencing political convulsions; Duterte's open willingness to realign towards China (at the expense of America) in exchange for infrastructure investment is one of the clearest indicators of what China's rise might look like for nations around the world. Timely, precise, accessible and fast-paced, this book will be of value to scholars, journalists, policy-makers, and China watchers. Read more About the Author Richard Javad Heydarian is a Manila-based academic, having taught political science at Ateneo De Manila University and De La Salle University, Philippines. He is a regular contributor to Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). He has written for/or interviewed by Aljazeera English, BBC, Bloomberg, The New York Times, Foreign Affairs The Guardian, The Washington Post, The Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, The Economist, The Atlantic, South China Morning Post, Nikkei Asia Review, Straits Times, among other leading publications.  Read more
H**.
A Definitive Look at President Rodrigo Duterte
Academic and policy advisor Richard Heydarian has written a concise yet thorough academic and geopolitical analysis of Rodrigo Duterte's rise to power. Heydarian first establishes his theoretical framework and context by laying out the trend of emerging market populism characterized by 'grievance politics' and 'democratic fatigue'.In the second chapter he provides a brief history of modern Philippines and the successes and failures of the 'elite democracy' since Marcos. He discusses the corruption, the scandals and the notorious dynastic clans that rule up to 70% of the nation.In the third chapter he discusses Philippine foreign policy focusing on the US-China dimension including the South China Sea issue. Duterte practices a pragmatic and transactional form of 'subaltern realism' seeking to bet on both horses, leaning military more on aging American hegemon and economically on the budding Chinese powerhouse.He finishes with a look at Duterte's art of the deal, 'dutertismo' and 'dutertenomics'. Richard Heydarian is a world-class academic and analyst and this book is a must-read for those interested in East Asia, the Philippines, Duterte and Chinese geopolitics.
M**G
A fair assessment on the phenomenon that is Rodrigo Duterte. Heydarian presents a balanced view here even though it is painstaking to be one given how polarizing the subject can be. Duterte - love him or hate him - he is what he is. It remains to be seen what his rise to the presidency will bring about in the Philippines. We will know in the years to come. Right now, with popular support, people are hopeful that he can translate his vast political capital into lasting gains for equitable nation-building.
A fair assessment on the phenomenon that is Rodrigo Duterte. Heydarian presents a balanced view here even though it is painstaking to be one given how polarizing the subject can be. Duterte - love him or hate him - he is what he is. It remains to be seen what his rise to the presidency will bring about in the Philippines. We will know in the years to come. Right now, with popular support, people are hopeful that he can translate his vast political capital into lasting gains for equitable nation-building.
M**G
Not everything written in this book is supported by facts.
This book is a disappointment to me. I cannot fathom and believe that this scholar got his resources from Rappler, GMA, Inquirer, with reporters that are unethical, that write "fake news" and smut reports. The author described Pres. Duterte as "egoistic and commented about the president’s English. Duterte is a Filipino, and of course, we cannot expect him to speak like an English man. However, he is a political genius, and has critical thinking. He is straightforward and has a simple lifestyle as evidence by his no-frills birthday celebration and presidential inauguration. Moreover, he is very nationalistic and has love for the Filipinos. He is very popular among the poor, especially that now they can avail for free education, health care and pension. In comparison to the irresponsible oligarch that are the number one perpetrator of Philippines’ economy, instead of investing their money to the Philippines, the Oligarch hoarded, and bankrolled their money abroad. They are also deficit in ethics and nationalism.
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