Long-term Political Order as the Result of Bandwagoning and Balancing: The Brookes of Sarawak

Speaker: Jacqueline L. Hazelton, Associate, International Security Program

This is a story of external rule creating and supporting long-term political order over 100 years in what was then the state of Sarawak, in Southeast Asia. The success of the Brooke family is puzzling given the difficulties of empire over three centuries and current frustrations with Western state-building efforts. The Brookes flourished without the trappings and tools of empire; used personal influence; organized violence by a small number of armed Englishmen sufficient to balance power among armed indigenous groups; and made partnerships with indigenous peoples to take and retain power. Their success as outsider rulers rested on their use of balancing and bandwagoning.

Everyone is welcome to join us online via Zoom! Please register in advance for this seminar: https://harvard.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIlcuqvqDkvGtIDPr8oVb0n2M1n_gBkqvjT