Originally published: New York : Macmillan, 1977.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Book photocopy

Introduction: The Study of Sociocultural Diversity in Mainland Southeast Asia Ch. 1. Primitive and Tribal Worlds and their Transformations. Primitive and tribal cultures in Southeast Asian prehistory and history. Types of primitive and tribal systems in mainland Southeast Asia. The Semang of the Malay Peninsula. The Chin of Northern Burma. The Karens of Burma and Thailand Ch. 2. Development of Theravada Buddhist Civilization in Mainland Southeast Asia. The classic Indianized civilizations. The Tai and the restructuring of Southeast Asian societies. Theravada Buddhism in Southeast Asia. Theravada Buddhism as a popular religion. Traditional Theravada Buddhist societies and the challenge of colonialism. The impact of Western colonialism on the Theravada Buddhist societies Ch. 3. Rural Life in Theravada Buddhist Societies. Cultural knowledge of Theravada Buddhist villagers. Population and social structure. Ecological adaptation and economic organization. Local communities and the political organization of rural life. Religion, social structure, and rural life Ch. 4. Tradition and Revolution in Vietnam. Traditional society in Vietnam. Cultural traditions and cultural conflict in traditional Vietnam. Vietnam as a colonial society. Vietnam in cultural crisis. War and the two Vietnams. Rural life in Communist Vietnam. Ideology, education, and values in Communist Vietnam Ch. 5. Cities in Changing Societies in Mainland Southeast Asia. Premodern cities and religiously oriented societies. Colonial cities in plural societies. Political culture and contemporary cities in mainland Southeast Asia. The economic role of cities in contemporary mainland Southeast Asia. Life in contemporary cities in mainland Southeast Asia.

English