Beyond 50 Years of Political Stability in Malaysia: Rent and the Weapons of the Power Elite

Abstract

This article seeks to explain Malaysia's remarkable political stability over more than 50 years. We offer a macro-level analysis of Malaysia's rentier-based economy and a micro-level analysis of a political-corporate network of elite Malays as key factors. We argue that the Malay elite, by securing access to abundant rent, has designed, mobilized, and strengthened the state's institutions at its discretion, in a way that provides broad redistribution while strengthening its own role. In contrast to James Scott's theory on resistance against the elite, we argue that Malaysia's elite generates collaboration and co-optation; these are the “weapons of the strong.”