"A combination of rich empirical data and insightful observation, it contributes to a variety of important theoretical debates about democratic development and tells a hopeful story of democracy in the region.... Raises a number of provocative questions for both scholars and practitioners."—Eric Chen-hua Yu, Taiwan Journal of Democracy

"The sheer diversity and unpredictability of democratic development in Asia provides ample scope for any democracy activist or scholar. In Roland Rich, one is fortunate to have both.... [A] rich combination of analysis, anecdote, and experience [is] reflected in this tome."—Satu P. Limaye, Journal of Democracy

"This is a truly impressive book—an incisive, wide-ranging, and up-to-date examination of the state of democracy in Asia. Rich's deep knowledge of the region, practical democracy-building experience, and lively prose come together masterfully into a definitive account."—Thomas Carothers, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

"Roland Rich brings to this study a feel for the politics of Pacific Asia that is not only scholarly, but also personal, intuitive, and nuanced. His several decades of experience with the practice of diplomacy and democracy promotion helps him to transcend the rigid confines of ideologies and academic theories and to see Pacific Asia's democracies as they are—a not always flattering picture—but also as they are becoming, or struggling to become, higher-quality democracies."—Larry Diamond, Stanford University

"This comparative assessment of the democratic credentials and shortfalls of Asia's various governments is greatly enriched by insights and illustrations from the author's extensive diplomatic experience in the region.... It is a significant contribution to the emerging debate about the nature of post-authoritarian regimes."—Garry Rodan, Murdoch University