East Asia has developed into one of the most promising regions. This volume of essays by leading European, Asian, and American scholars provides a comprehensive look at the key themes relating to politics in East Asia today. The contributors explore the formidable obstacles on the road to democratic consolidation in the region's new democracies, and the prospects for democratic transitions among the region's remaining authoritarian polities. The essays address issues of institutional design, media reform, electoral politics, and religious movements.