Bali and Balinese culture have become central to western imaginings of 'the east.' Along with its natural beauty and tropical sensuality, Bali's rich and complex culture has proved intensely alluring for western artists, scholars, and travelers. However, as this aesthetic imagining and desire for beauty have evolved into a mass tourism industry, the island people and their culture have experienced radical and rapid transformation. While many in the international community were stunned by the horror of the militant bombings in 2002 and 2005, these attacks were merely the apex of a profound and ongoing crisis which resonates through the period of Bali's modernization and engagement with the global economy of pleasure. Bali's Silent Crisis examines and elucidates the complex cultural and political environment of contemporary Bali. The book explains the conditions of crisis in Bali in terms of a powerful collision of cultural elements and trends, focusing specifically on the double matrix of 'desire' and 'violence' that has characterized Bali's recent past. Moving beyond a simple opposition between 'tradition' and 'the modern', this book reveals a society that is struggling to reconcile its own profound aesthetic and sense of historical identity with the intense agonisms that are generated through rapid social and cultural change. Through its thematic approach, Bali's Silent Crisis presents an image of community trauma, creative resilience and pluralization. The book records the challenges and horrors associated with transition, as well as the formidable beauty that remains intrinsic to the island's sense of cultural destiny.

Crisis in the Global Mediasphere examines the evolution of contemporary global crises as an effect of mediation and cultural change. The book argues that a crisis consciousness has emerged through the interaction of crisis conditions and a more expansive human desire for pleasure.

This book offers a comprehensive examination of spatial and environmental governance in contemporary Bali. In the era of decentralisation, Bali's eight district governments and one municipality acquired a strong sense of authority to extract revenues from within their territorial borders while disregarding the impacts beyond them which has exacerbated environmental, cultural and institutional issues. These issues are addressed through reorganising space. In reality, however, such re-organisation has predominantly been in order to provide space for tourism investments and market expansion. The outcomes of reorganising space are in fact shaped by the dynamics of power that interface with increasingly complex legal and institutional structures. These complex structures provide more arenas for vested interests to manoeuvre, but at the same time provide different forms of legitimacy for local forces to challenge the dominant process. The book demonstrates the mechanisms through which social actors mobilise legal-institutional arrangements to advance their interests.

This book focuses on how diverse developments are reflected in the rise of the security groups in Bali, Indonesia. Bali’s security groups pose many interesting questions. Why did they put up so many huge posters around the streets of southern Bali promoting themselves? Are their claims to represent the community plausible or are they “gangs”? How are they shaped by Indonesia’s violent past? How does Hinduism affect their gender politics? Do they promote illiberal populism or ethnic and religious tolerance? Does their central role in money politics prevent local democratization? Rather than write bottom-up history or bring the state back in, this collection as a whole draws on the ideas that circulate among leaders. These circulating ideas construct contemporary politics around both reinterpretations of old practices and responses to problems around tourism, gender, populism, religion, and democracy.

Practical travel guide to Bali & Lombok featuring points-of-interest structured lists of all sights and off-the-beaten-track treasures, with detailed colour-coded maps, practical details about what to see and to do in Bali & Lombok, how to get there and around, pre-departure information, as well as top time-saving tips, like a visual list of things not to miss in Bali & Lombok, expert author picks and itineraries to help you plan your trip. The Rough Guide to Bali & Lombok covers: South Bali, Ubud and central Bali, east Bali, north Bali and the central volcanoes, west Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands. Inside this travel guide you'll find: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER Experiences selected for every kind of trip to Bali & Lombok, from off-the-beaten-track adventures in Bali Barat National Park to family activities in child-friendly places, like The Amed Coast or chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas, like Gunung Batur. PRACTICAL TRAVEL TIPS Essential pre-departure information including Bali & Lombok entry requirements, getting around, health information, travelling with children, sports and outdoor activities, food and drink, festivals, culture and etiquette, shopping, tips for travellers with disabilities and more. TIME-SAVING ITINERARIES Carefully planned routes covering the best of Bali & Lombok give a taste of the richness and diversity of the destination, and have been created for different time frames or types of trip. DETAILED REGIONAL COVERAGE Clear structure within each sightseeing chapter includes regional highlights, brief history, detailed sights and places ordered geographically, recommended restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and major shops or entertainment options. INSIGHTS INTO GETTING AROUND LIKE A LOCAL Tips on how to beat the crowds, save time and money and find the best local spots for diving and snorkelling or climbing volcanoes. HIGHLIGHTS OF THINGS NOT TO MISS Rough Guides' rundown of Danau Bratan, Denpasar, Semarapura, Lovina's best sights and top experiences helps to make the most of each trip to Bali & Lombok, even in a short time. HONEST AND INDEPENDENT REVIEWS Written by Rough Guides' expert authors with a trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, to help to find the best places in Bali & Lombok, matching different needs. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter features fascinating insights into Bali & Lombok, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary. FABULOUS FULL COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHY Features inspirational colour photography, including the stunning Pura Tanah Lot and the spectacular Pura Ulun Danu Batur. COLOUR-CODED MAPPING Practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys for quick orientation in Kuta, The Gili Islands and many more locations in Bali & Lombok, reduce need to go online. USER-FRIENDLY LAYOUT With helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time.

The Rough Guide to Bali and Lombok is the perfect companion for exploring the cultural and natural richness of these beautiful places, with clear maps and up-to-date coverage of the best attractions. Discover Bali and Lombok's highlights with the guides' full colour introduction, showing everything from dramatic cliff-top temples to sparkling white-sand beaches. Find detailed practical advice on what to see and do, with great coverage of family-friendly destinations and activities, the unique volcanic landscapes and Balinese pop music. Whether you're looking for bargain hostels and beach shacks or chic spas and boutique hotels, this guide has the information. There's advice on where to dive in Bali and Lombok, how to arrange treks to the island's volcanoes and the top surf breaks. With detailed maps, The Rough Guide to Bali and Lombok gives you all the practical advice you'll need for a great adventure. Originally published in print in 2011. Make the most of your holiday with The Rough Guide to Bali and Lombok. Now available in ePub format.