This book considers decentralisation in Southeast Asia.

Focusing on Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia, it looks back at the historical background of local governance in the region and examines the distinction between 'organic' and administrative local governments. It explores the concept of pluralism in relation to locality and localism and explores the extent to which decentralised governance is mandated by the constitution before looking at examples of autonomy in the region.

The book looks at processes and reservations such as sanctions, cancelling laws which are beyond powers or constitutional norms, dismissal of officials or fiscal measures. It looks at the way development communities internationally consider decentralisation of central importance and examines the impact of this. Finally it considers the way that the move to decentralise in the region has been followed by a measure of recentralisation.