The Political Theory of Tyranny in Singapore and Burma: Aristotle and the Rhetoric of Benevolent Despotism

The Political Theory of Tyranny in Singapore and Burma applies classical political theory to modern comparative political analysis in Southeast Asia to examine the role of rhetoric in maintaining or transforming a regime. Drawing from Aristotle to develop the rhetoric of benevolent despotism, McCarthy examines how rhetoric addresses commonly held beliefs and how this informs modern comparative political theory. Using Singapore and Burma as case studies, the book questions the basic assumptions of democratization theory, examining the political science of tyranny and exploring the rhetorical manipulation of religion for the purpose of political legitimacy. McCarthy shows how political leaders in Singapore and Burma have either invented or manipulated traditional beliefs by their selective interpretation of Confucian or Buddhist traditions in their favor, and it is by analyzing the rhetoric of benevolent despotism used in these countries that fundamental similarities between rhetorical strategies undertaken by leaders in both regimes can be seen.
The Political Theory of Tyranny in Singapore and Burma presents the first study to combine the fields of classical rhetoric, political philosophy, and comparative politics, and will be essential reading for scholars working within these fields and the areas of international relations and Southeast Asian studies.