The article proposes that there are three basic paradigms of nationalism: secular nationalism, ethnic nationalism, and theocratic nationalism. These paradigms form an integral part of the postcolonial state‐building project. The article discusses how Malaysia selected the ethnic nationalism paradigm and how this directed the country's political development and the way it addressed the challenge of ethnic pluralism. It argues that ethnic nationalism best accounts for Malaysia's inability to achieve full democracy. The March 2008 election and the possibility of the collapse of ethnic nationalism and the transition to a more open democracy are explored.

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