Format:
1 Online-Ressource (xliii, 366 pages)
,
illustrations, maps
Edition:
3rd ed
Series Statement:
Area handbook series 550
Note:
"Research completed July 1994."
,
"This volume is one in a continuing series of books prepared by the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress under the Country Studies/Area Handbook Program sponsored by the Department of the Army"--Foreword
,
Includes bibliographical references (pages 313-338) and index
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Early history. Power centers in the Middle Mekong Valley ; Mongol influence ; The founding of Lan Xang ; The division of Lan Xang -- Developments in the nineteenth century. The hold of Siam ; The eviction of Siam ; Laos under the French -- World War II and after. The French protectorate and direct administration ; Nationalist stirrings ; Events in 1945 ; The Lao Issara government ; A confusing situation -- The coming of independence. The kingdom of Laos ; The Pathet Lao -- Toward neutrality: the first coalition. Initial difficulties ; Renewed negotiations ; A fragile unity ; The 1958 elections ; North Vietnamese invasion ; The army enters politics -- The attempt to restore neutrality. A deepening split ; The Battle of Vientiane -- International pressure and the advent of the second coalition. Expansion of Pathet Lao influence ; Protracted diplomacy ; Renewed strains ; The "Secret War" -- The third coalition and the Lao People's Democratic Republic. The Vientiane agreement ; The origins of the prisoner of war/missing in action question ; Formation of the third coalition ; The Communist seizure of power ; Establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic ; "Seminar camps" and the death of king Savang Vatthana ; Postwar relations with the United States ; Developments in the Lao People's Democratic Republic -- The physical environment. Topography ; Climate ; Transportation routes ; Natural resources -- Population. Ethnic diversity ; The refugee population ; Rural-urban distribution -- Rural life. Lowland Lao society ; Midland Lao society ; Upland Lao society ; The pattern of rural life -- Urban society -- Religion. Buddhism ; Animism -- Education. Education prior to the Lao People's Democratic Republic ; Education since 1975 -- Health and welfare. Public health ; Acquired immune deficiency syndrome ; Health infrastructure ; Social welfare -- Future trends -- Agriculture and forestry. Agriculture in the economic system ; Crops and farming systems ; Fishing ; Agricultural policy ; Environmental problems and policy -- Industry and services. Industrial output and employment ; Services ; Industrial policy -- Transportation and telecommunications. Roads ; Motor vehicles ; Inland waterways ; Civil aviation ; Telecommunications -- Public finance. The budget deficit ; Government revenue ; Government expenditure ; Policy -- The financial sector. The banking system ; Money and prices ; Money supply and inflation -- The balance of payments. The foreign exchange rate ; Foreign trade ; Direct foreign investment ; Foreign aid ; External debt -- Prospects for growth -- The Lao People's Revolutionary Party. Origins of the party ; Party structure ; Semisecrecy of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party ; Ideology of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party ; Leadership -- The constitution. Development of the constitution ; Highlights of the constitution -- Government structure. Bureaucratic culture ; Executive ; Legislature ; Judiciary -- Challenges to the regime. Human rights ; Insurgents ; Refugees ; Political opposition -- Mass media -- Basic goals ; Bureaucratic complications ; Economic factors ; Bilateral relations -- The armed forces. Historical background ; Structure and administration of the armed forces ; Manpower and conditions of service ; The defense budget -- Threats to national security. Internal threats and resistance movements ; Foreign military presence ; The confrontational relationship with Thailand ; Relations with the United States -- National police and paramilitary forces -- The criminal justice system. Civil liberties and human rights ; Detention centers -- Narcotics and counternarcotics issues.
Additional Edition:
ISBN 0844408328
Additional Edition:
ISBN 9780844408323
Additional Edition:
Erscheint auch als Druck-Ausgabe Laos Washington, DC : Federal Research Division, Library of Congress : For sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. G.P.O., 1995 ISBN 0844408328
Language:
English
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