This book assesses democratic resilience and challenges in (relatively) newly emerging democracies in the Asia-Pacific, which are simultaneously important case studies as newly emerging middle powers. Across all dimensions and measurements, South Korea and Indonesia are consistently the most salient case studies to consider. The two case studies are compared across three sections. First, the relationship between economic development and democratic resilience in Indonesia and South Korea. Second, nature of political culture and societal constructs in the two case studies. The final section looks at the potential peculiarities of the two case studies, which are seen as uniquely challenged: Indonesia by religious persecution and South Korea by political populism. Certainly, democratization is a long and difficult process. This book provides insight into how the two countries have embarked on similar democratization projects. It also delineates the successes and failures from which valuable lessons on democratization can be drawn.

1. Asian Democracy.- 2. Overcoming Economic Stagnation: Indonesia's Struggle over Policy Reform in a New Democracy.- 3. Democratic Resilience in the Midst of Economic Crisis: The Case of South Korea.- 4. The Resilience of Democracy and Social Movements in Indonesia.- 5. South Korea's Progress in Dual Democratization: Social Conflict and Democratic Integration.- 6. Strategizing Religious Oppression: 'Christianity' and Indonesia's Democracy Resilience.- 7. Populism: Does it Support or Undermine Democracy? A Case Study of Democratic Resilience in South Korea.- 8. An East Asian Democratic Miracle? Challenges and Resilience.