Muddy boots & smart suits: researching Asia-Pacific affairs

From grassroots conflicts to great power relations, this book explores some of the key concepts, methodologies, and dilemmas of researching Asia-Pacific affairs. The book deals with key questions about the Asia Pacific: Why should we study policy from the 'ground up'? What are the human considerations for societies in conflict? Why is regionalism important and how do global powers play a role? Should Asia-Pacific researchers embrace the design-based revolution in the social sciences? Muddy Boots and Smart Suits is for students, scholars, and policymakers in the region looking for a new way to understand local, regional, and global security challenges

From grassroots conflicts to great power relations, this book explores some of the key concepts, methodologies, and dilemmas of researching Asia-Pacific affairs. The book deals with key questions about the Asia Pacific: Why should we study policy from the "ground up"? What are the human considerations for societies in conflict? Why is regionalism important and how do global powers play a role? Should Asia-Pacific researchers embrace the design-based revolution in the social sciences? Muddy Boots and Smart Suits is for students, scholars, and policymakers in the region looking for a new way to understand local, regional, and global security challenges

""Contents""; ""1. Introduction to Research in Asia-Pacific Affairs""; ""SECTION I: IN THE FIELD""; ""2. Studying Policy from the Ground Up: The Solomon Islands Case""; ""3. Reflections on Political Cultures in Thought and Action""; ""4. Human Considerations in Conflicted Societies""; ""SECTION II: ANALYSING POLITICS""; ""5. The Design-based Revolution in Comparative Politics""; ""6. Count Me In: Quantitative Research in Asia-Pacific Affairs""; ""SECTION III; SHAPING A REGION""; ""7. History, Conflict, and Contexts: Remembering World War II in Asia""; ""8. Regionalism and Global Powers""