Patricio Abinales

Patricio Abinales is a Professor in the Asian Studies Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He holds a Ph.D. in Government and Asian Studies from Cornell University (1997) and a BA in History from the University of the Philippines-Diliman (1978). Prior to UH-Manoa, he taught at Ohio University (1997–1999) and Kyoto University (2000–2010). His expertise spans Philippine politics, Southeast Asian politics, and political violence, with a focus on American colonialism, communist and Islamic insurgencies, and illicit economies. He is a frequent contributor to political commentary via e-magazines like Rappler and Positively Filipino.

Abinales’ research projects include studies on cacique politics, rodent infestation symbolism in Philippine politics, and U.S. economic assistance in Muslim Mindanao. His notable works include Presidents and Pests (2023) and Modern Philippines (2022). He has been recognized with the Manila Critics’ Circle National Book Award (2001) for Fellow Traveler. His courses cover topics such as Asian humanities, political violence in Southeast Asia, and the political economy of the Philippines.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. Government and Asian Studies, Cornell University, 1997
  • MA Department of Government, Cornell University, 1991
  • BA History, University of the Philippines-Diliman, 1978
• Awards: Manila Critics’ Circle National Book Award (2001)

His research integrates historical analysis with contemporary political dynamics, emphasizing the interplay between local power structures and national politics. Current projects explore the symbolism of violence in Philippine academia and the legacy of American influence in Southeast Asia.