Management of Public Policy Conflicts in Southeast Asia

This book on the Management of Public Policy Conflicts in Southeast Asia is a compilation of papers written by Southeast Asian scholars looking at the issues arising out of the formulation of public policies in the region. In their progress towards development, the countries of the region have had to face many challenges in regards to their policies. They have to balance, for example, the push for development with the need to maintain the traditional ways of life of their peoples. It is also wrong to conclude that maintaining the traditional ways is contrary to development. Development is for everybody and the general improvement of life. However, when development is done without proper consultation and without following proper laws and regulations, they tend to result in disputes and conflicts involving those whose lives they were supposed to improve. Many policies are not effectively or adequately explained to the public, resulting in misunderstanding and miscommunications. When this happens, relations between the policy makers and the public will be affected.

Many recommendations are highlighted in these articles. They include the need for improved communications between the policy makers and the public among others. The examples of public policy dispute mechanisms illustrated in these chapters can be very useful to scholars and practitioners alike.