This expansive Handbook provides a detailed, comprehensive, and current study of Asian public policy and governance. Exploring inequalities across the continent, it outlines policy knowledge production, shedding light on sustainability, innovation, inclusive development, well-being, and climate justice in Asia. Bringing together renowned experts in the field, the Handbook investigates the evolution of public policy in Asia, including the rise and fall of a specifically Asian ethos. It also demonstrates the contextual characteristics of a comprehensive spectrum of Asian countries of differing regional and international significance and size, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and beyond. Contributing authors address the institutional and historical embeddedness of policymaking, covering philosophical approaches, technological participation and ideational tensions. They examine Asia’s global policy leadership in the 21st century, discussing important developments including the impact of cultural forces in driving narcotics policy and the role of women in Asian policymaking. The Handbook of Public Policy in Asia is an essential tool for students and scholars in Asian politics and public policy, public administration and political science. Its unique insights into Asian policy styles and norms will greatly benefit politicians and practitioners.

Table of Contents:
Contents Preface xvii 1 Introduction to public policy in Asia 1 Ora-orn Poocharoen, Piyapong Boossabong and Pobsook Chamchong PART I SPIRIT OF PUBLIC POLICY IN ASIA 2 Paradigms of public policy and governance in Asia: from ancient administration to smart sustainable futures 15 Ora-orn Poocharoen 3 Is there an Asian public policy process?: Understanding the institutional and historical embeddedness of policy-making 34 Vishal Narain 4 Policy styles and norms in Asia: a critical and interpretive reflection 47 Piyapong Boossabong, Noe John Joseph E. Sacramento and Antonio D. Salazar Jr. 5 Asia’s global policy leadership in the twenty-first century: integration of spirituality, science and policy 63 Naresh Singh and Devesh Gupta 6 Challenges of policy process in the face of technocracy and high inequalities across Asia 80 Noe John Joseph E. Sacramento and Piyapong Boossabong 7 Exploring the landscape of public policy knowledge production in Asia: some observations 94 Theerapat Ungsuchaval, Wasin Punthong, Chumphol Aunphattanasilp and Chatchada Kumlungpat 8 Beyond policy science and the emergence of critical policy studies in Asia 117 Noe John Joseph E. Sacramento PART II PUBLIC POLICY ACROSS THE REGION: TOWARDS ASIA RISING? 9 Public policy for sustainability in Asia 136 Kris Hartley 10. Crafting innovative policy design: practices from policy labs in Asia 150 Pobsook Chamchong, Yay Chann and Antonio D. Salazar Jr. 11 Inclusive development policy in Asia 169 William P. Kittredge and Leilong Ma 12 Public policy for enhancing well-being across Asia: mental health, happiness, and life satisfaction 184 Arnut Promthed, Phanuphat Chattragul, Kasina Sundhagul and Daniel Chi-Fung Yeung 13 The emergence of social enterprises and their role in public policy in Asia 206 Dhino B. Geges, Noe John Joseph E. Sacramento and Niña Rose P. Robles 14 Where are the women? locating women in the policy-making process in Asia 222 Claire Ed Bacong 15 From failed drug wars to faith-based rehabs: how cultural forces drive narcotics policy directions in Asia 235 Clyde Ben A. Gacayan 16 Climate policy, justice, and electoral promises: comparative perspectives from Asia 250 Thida Chaiyapa, Watcharapol Supajakwattana, Anna Christi Suwardi and Hamad Hasul Khan PART III PUBLIC POLICY IN EAST ASIA 17 Public policy in China: navigating political particularity and global convergence 278 Ya Li and Jianzi He 18 Public policy in Japan: the continuous search for a blend of Japan and the West 291 Koichi Kawai, So Morikawa and Shunsaku Komatsuzaki 19 Public policy in Taiwan: harnessing technology and deliberative participation 309 Yu-Ying Kuo 20 Public policy in South Korea: a politico-historical perspective on industrial and unification policy development 324 Wasin Punthong and Purawich Watanasukh 21 Public policy in Mongolia: addressing the nation’s dual identity as a modern state and a nomadic society 341 Oyun-Erdene Chuluunbaatar PART IV PUBLIC POLICY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 22 Evolution of policy-making in Singapore: from pragmatism to citizen- centricity 357 Celia Lee 23 Public policy in the Philippines: taking the road less traveled toward decentering experts and power 380 Noe John Joseph E. Sacramento, Antonio D. Salazar Jr. and Clyde Ben A. Gacayan 24 Complex layering policy process in Indonesia: understanding ideational tensions between state-centralism and liberalism 393 Muhammad Hali Aprimadya and Yahya Zakaria 25 Indonesian policy landscape: the emphasis on philosophy, religion and cultural foundations in policy-making 406 Hanna Nur Afifah Yogar 26 Unpacking the dynamics of public policy in Thailand: from centralization to innovation 420 Theerapat Ungsuchaval 27 Public policy in Myanmar: within and beyond military interventions 440 Tun Min Oo PART V PUBLIC POLICY IN SOUTH ASIA 28 Public policy in India: overview and insights on national intellectual property rights policy 459 Ajay K Sharma 29 Public policy in Bhutan: balancing global visions and aspirations of Gross National Happiness 487 Phuntsho Wangdi 30 Public policy in Bangladesh: confronting top-down, incremental, and political interference 501 Naznin Islam and Maruf Hasan Rumi 31 Public policy in Nepal: the transition towards empowerment and participatory governance 521 Yay Chann and Hsu Myat Yadanar Thein