Nationalism in the Southeast Asia: An Essay on the Cartography of Struggle

Abstract

This paper argues that the concept of "nationalism" in Southeast Asia is neither a homogeneous nor a monolithic notion, but is understood, practiced, and lived through in as distinct and differing ways both across the region itself characterized by a "kaleidoscopic diversity", aild even more significantly, within particular states or nations, Thus, this paper's use of "nationalisms" in South East Asia reflects not only the varying interpretations of the term and the plurality that characterizes the historical, political, economic, cultural, and religious specificities of the region. At the same time it is also suggestive of the highly contested filed that is the study of nation and nationalism which has brought about a maze of definitions, theoretical approaches, and methods of understanding and enacting nationalist discourses.