Since the terrorist attacks on 9/11, the political roles of religious institutions and groups have captured international attention. This book examines how religious institutions and organizations in various Asian countries are influencing democratic development and the shaping of government policies.

Tun-Jen Cheng (Edited by) , Deborah A. Brown (Edited by)

Preface; 1. Introduction: The Roles of Religious Organizations in Asian Democratization, Tun-jen Cheng and Deborah A. Brown; 2. The Falun Gong: Religious and Political Implications, Julia Ching; 3. "Buddhism for the Human Realm" and Taiwanese Democracy, Andre Laliberte; 4. New Karma: Buddhism and Democratization in Thailand, David Ambuel; 5. The Presbyterian Church in the Formation of Taiwan's Democratic Society, 1945-2004, Murray A. Rubinstein; 6. Christian Churches and Democratization in South Korea, Hyug Baeg Im; 7. The Limits of Conservative Church Reformism in the Democratic Philippines, Coeli M. Barry; 8. Hong Kong's Catholic Church and the Challenge of Democratization in the SAR, Deborah A. Brown; 9. Islam and Democratic Transition in Indonesia, Greg Barton; 10. Democracy, the "Islamic State," and Embedded Realities in Malaysia, Patricia Martinez; 11. The Soka Gakkai's Critical Role in the Rapidly Changing World of Postwar Japanese Politics, Daniel A. Metraux; About the Editors and Contributors; Index