This authoritative book explores the influential but controversial concept of military professionalism and its role in civil-military relations. Focusing on the evolution of military professionalism in ten key Asian countries, the authors investigate its conception, practice, and consequences. Combining the expertise of military officers and scholars from the region, the study argues that 'old professionalism' is on the rise in Asia as the role of coercion in governance has been reduced and the distribution of power has shifted away from the military in favor of political and civil society.

Revitalizing the concept of military necessity -- Lawful war of self-defense : when not to be a sitting duck -- Military strategy : the blind spot of international humanitarian law -- Defensive deterrence : legalizing the stepchild of international law.

In The Military and Democracy in Asia and the Pacific, a number of prominent regional specialists take a fresh look at the military's changing role in selected countries of Asia and the Pacific, particularly with regard to the countries' performance against criteria of democratic government. Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Burma, Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Korea, Fiji and Papua New Guinea all fall under the spotlight as the authors examine the role which the military has played in bringing about changes of political regime, and in resisting pressures for change.

This far-ranging volume offers both a broad overview of the role of the military in contemporary Asia and a close look at the state of civil-military relations in sixteen Asian countries. It discusses these relations in countries where the military continues to dominate the political realm as well as others where it is disengaging from politics.

Examines the relationship between the professionally-trained members of the Chinese Officer Corps and the Chinese Communist Party between 1949 and 1964.