Sunday, June 5, 2016

SJS 7: "Trauma and Triumphalism in Malaysia"

Source: 
Welsh, Bridget. "Trauma and Triumphalism in Malaysia." Current History: A 
Journal of Contemporary World Affairs 112.755 (2013): 236-41. Print. 



Author Credentials & Bias: Bridget Welsh is qualified to discuss this issue because she is an associate professor of political science at Singapore Management University. She has worked with Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and educated at Columbia University. Her experience and advanced credentials enable to her to provide meaningful insight and powerful analysis on the topic of Mayalain affairs. A scholar is South Eastern studies, she offers an educational and expert bias on the subject.  

Summary: Welsh talks about the world's most durable incumbent government in Malaysia. With fifty-six years in office, this governmental system managed to stay in power through a narrow victory. Subsequently denying the multi-ethnic opposition that had been consolidating since 1999 a change to govern. Anger over corruption and racial preferences is increasing, and the people, rather than elites, continue to drive the nations political evolution. After Abdullah Badawi took over Mahathir Mohamad's corrupted rule, left the people hopeless once again after he acknowledged the challenges the country faced, but failed to effectively address them. This hopeless inspired a political awakening that forced Abdullah to step down in turn for Najib Tun Razak's leadership. Political reform Najib-style has turned into a performance rather than a practice. The government is seen not only to endorse poor governance but to benefit from it. It's important to note that even though all of the struggles, Malaysians are engaging politically. The elite will most likely focus on the struggle to maintain power and limit reform, but the Malaysians will continue to push towards meaningful actions. All of this will transpire more effectively as politics continue to shift from elites to ordinary people.

Analysis: Overall, Welsh presents a reliable source because she gives very detailed information that shows that she has done her research on this subject. The information is presented thoughtfully as she connects certain ideas that were previously discussed. Her organizational strategies brought light to certain details that didn't seem as significant before. Along with giving the reader a multitude of relevant facts, Welsh also offers her intellectual input. Based on her educational knowledge and experience, her ideas help add to the reliability of this writing. Her argument does not sway to one side as she explains all dimensions of these political happenings and changes. 


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