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Table of Contents
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.
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.