Introduction: Political dynasties in Asia

This Special Issue seeks to understand the formation and development of Asian political dynasties that extended or continue to extend power through at least two generations by comparing and contrasting the experiences of eight select country cases in the region. The Issue concentrates on “political dynasties” rather than “political families” because we examine the chronological extension of clout by a kinship group over the geographical unit in which it resides rather than simply the nuanced power relations of the political family in stasis. We also focus on dynasties as political families in motion—not political families at one point in time. The study is crucial because it enhances comprehension of the Asian family dynasty's role as a political institution in the age of elections. Such research remains uncommon.