International Influence, Domestic Regimes, and Autonomy in Asia

Increasingly, ethnic minorities in Asia are calling for autonomy to self-determine their political, social, cultural, and economic affairs, but they have refrained from demanding their separate state. States in the region have been unwilling to acknowledge these claims, fearing that genuine concessions of powers could erode their sovereignty and impair their political regimes. That is why they offer some powers that support ethnic mobilization, while not resolving grievances.

'International Influence, Domestic Regimes, and Autonomy in Asia: Struggles of Madheshis in Nepal and Tibetans in China' unpacks the complexities and tensions associated with ethnic claims for genuine autonomy in modern-day Nepal and China. Together, the cases reveal a complex and systemic assault on ethnic claims in Asia. However, this book refrains from painting a discouraging picture, concluding that genuine autonomy may still be possible if the conflicting parties negotiate, respecting each other’s valid concerns. It will appeal to anyone interested in comparative politics, minority rights, and international dimensions of conflict resolution in Asia.