A Review of the New Isan Way: The Dynamics of “Isan Becoming” in the Post-Cold War Era

Abstract

This book reflects the commitment of Pattana Kitiarsa, an Isan scholar who revisits both his personal experiences and analyses of the post-Cold War era to affirm the changing ways of life in Isan. Drawing on the philosophical concepts of Gilles Deleuze and the literary contribution of SEA Write Award-winning novelist Khamphun Buntawi, he poses the crucial question: “Has Isan truly changed?”. He proposes the concept of “Isan Becoming”to explain the perpetual state of transformation within the community, driven by desire, adaptability, and self-determination. The new Isan is thus a dynamic shaped by encounters between internal and external forces, from colonial history and the Cold War to its emergence as a global community in the present day. Key factors such as migration, transnational labor, intercultural marriage, and the development of infrastructure, mass media, and popular culture all reflect the creative energy and new identity of the Isan people, who continually move forward. A key strength of this book lies in its integration of contemporary theoretical frameworks, particularly those of Deleuze, Foucault, Giddens, and other contemporary theorists with the lived experiences of Isan communities. This results in a rich analysis that offers new understandings of the Isan context in the post-Cold War era. The book is a valuable resource for academics and those interested in social change, borderland studies, and the dynamics of local-global interactions in Southeast Asia.