Southeast Asia has undergone a remarkable industrial and economic transformation in the last two decades. This book examines the political economy of contemporary development in the region, discussing the changing political alignments and patterns of social organization. Chapters covering labor in Southeast Asia, regional economic institution-building, and the emergence of sub-regional economic growth zones complement six country studies, including Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Readable and provocative, the book identifies the central theoretical issues at stake in the debate over economic development.