Introduction : theorising the post-political in Asian cities

This chapter reviews existing literature on the post-political condition, identifying its key features, and the ramifications that this has for state-society relations in the context of urban governance. It questions the applicability of the post-political framework to the varied socio-political contexts of Asia, given that it has thus far been derived from studies focussing on liberal democracies in Europe. The chapter also provides an overview of Asia’s unique political development throughout history. Noting the current power imbalances that exist between the state and society in the region, the chapter then articulates the aims, structure, and scholarly contributions of this volume on civil society and post-politics in Asia. It suggests that the chapters in this volume, by exploring the variegated civil society movements effecting the cultural and natural dimension of cities in Asia, reveal the different manifestations of post-political practices in the region. Furthermore, it demonstrates how post-political conditions can both hinder, but also open up, opportunities for civil society to achieve a greater role in shaping Asian cities. The chapter closes by considering the implications that this process has for the future of political development in Asia.