Southeast Asia Background
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Transcript Southeast Asia Background
Southeast Asia
Background
– Southeast Asia is a land of large and small
peninsulas and islands
– region is a cultural and political mosaic of diverse
peoples and lands
– influence of India and China on the historical
development of region
Buddhism
strongly entrenched in Burma, Thailand,
Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam
Hindu cosmology and beliefs influential in region
Angor Wat Temple
Cambodia
temples
like Ankor Wat (Cambodia) and Prembanan
and Borobodur (Java) reveal Indian influences
Chinese also influential politically and culturally in
Southeast Asia
overseas Chinese are major entrepreneurs in large urban
areas
Thai people pushed out of southern China in 13th C
direct Chinese influence on Vietnam
Vietnam occasionally ruled by China
– influence of colonialism
most
states under colonial rule from 19th to 20th C, i.e.
UK (Myanmar, Singapore and Malaysia); France
(Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos) Holland (Indonesia);
US (Philippines)
brutal
colonial wars for independence
only Thailand (Siam) never colonized by the West
Thai monarchy practiced skillful diplomacy to preserve
their independence
Thailand historically was a buffer between UK and France
Physical
regions
– physically, Southeast Asia divided into two major
regions of roughly equal size, i.e. mainland Southeast
Asia and insular Southeast Asia
– mainland Southeast Asia includes Burma, Thailand,
Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam
– insular Southeast Asia includes Indonesia,
Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore
– mountain ranges run in north-south direction; difficulty
with east-west transportation and communication
– river valleys for core areas of national states, i.e.
Irrawady River (Rangoon, Mynanmar); Chao Phraya
River(Bangkok, Thailand); Mekong River ( Phnom
Penh, Cambodia and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam); Red
River, Hanoi/Haiphong, Vietnam)
– rivers very important for internal transportation and
communication
– series of high hills separate Mynanmar from India
– Shan plateau between Mynanmar and Thailand
– Korat plateau in northern Thailand
– cordillera runs from Laos to south Vietnam
– volcanic chain of islands run from western
Mynanmar offshore through Anaman Islands,
Sumatra, Java and the Philippines
– Sunda platform from Sumatra and Malaysia to
island of Kalimantan.
– Sunda Strait and Straits of Malaka crucial to
ocean shipping.
– substantial tanker and container shipping through
these important straits
– deep water trenches off shore, i.e Java Trench
– region of active volcanoes, i.e. Krakatoa, Indonesia
in 1883 and Mt. Pinatubo, Philippines in 1991-92
Shan
Plateau
Korat
Plateau
Sunda Platform
Asia Physical Map Southeast
Climate
– Southeast Asia enjoys substantial rainfall
– mainland Southeast Asia influenced by the monsoon
with summer winds bringing torrential rainfall from
May to October. Rangoon gets 100 includes per year
– cooler weather and less rainfall from November to
early spring. High pressure over Asia with winds
blowing out to sea
– areas near equator receive abundant rainfall all year
around.
Population
– Southeast Asia has a large, expanding population
– in 1965, combined population of all countries was
250 million; by 1993 it increased to 400 million; and
by 2025 it is expected to rise to 550 million
– most countries growing at 2% per year; Thailand and
the Philippines growing at 3%; Cambodia and Laos
have rates close to 1% reflecting ravages or war
– urbanization increasing in all countries though
Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam still have less than 20%
living in urban areas
– Indonesia and Thailand have 30% of their
populations in urban areas
– Philippines just over 40%; Malaysia 50%
– 100% of the population in Singapore live in the city
– most Southeast Asian states have a high percentage of
their people living in a primate city, i.e. Bangkok,
Thailand; Manila, Philippines, Phnom Penh,
Cambodia, etc.
– migrations from rural areas to cities have strained
governmental budgets, made it difficult to provide
adequate services
Agriculture
– problems of agriculture in SE Asia due to several
factors:
erosion
of hillside cultivation which washes down large
quantities of silt that end up in delta areas
leeching of soluble minerals especially iron oxide which is
necessary for good plant growth
laterization of soils which makes the soil very hard on the
top layer and spongy when wet
groundwater evaporation exceeds drainage encouraging
growth of grasses that choke plants
– types of agriculture swidden and sawah
– swidden agriculture
also
known as shifting cultivation or slash and burn
agriculture
practiced on grasslands and plateaus (hill farms) where
brush, trees and grass are burned so crops can be planted.
Ash enriches the soil but only briefly
after several years, people must change locations and
repeat the cycle again
variety of crops grown by this method including
pineapples, bananas, fruit trees, dry rice, taro, sweet
potatoes, yams, maize, legumes, and tobacco
ecological knowledge of farmers based on experience
cannot support a large population
– sawah cultivation
also
known as wet rice agriculture or paddy agriculture
water dependent agriculture with fields irrigated by adequate
rain or various irrigation projects
terraced rice fields in Java, Luzon, and Bali
possible to get 2/3 rice crops per year under good conditions
supplemental vegetables occasionally grown in as
interplanted crops in rice paddy fields, i.e. corn, potatoes,
legumes, sweet potatoes, etc.
use of decomposed manure, night soil or chemical fertilizers
to obtain good yields
use of the water buffaloes to plow fields; small tractors
increasingly replacing water buffaloes
– Plantation agriculture
commercial
plantations managed by Europeans but
worked by indigenous labor or imported labor
availability of cheap water transportation downstream
contract labor from India or China common due to
subsistence commitments of indigenous farmers
rubber plantations- Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand
oil palm and coconut plantations- Malaysia,
Philippines, and Indonesia
tea plantations in highlands of Indonesia
Legacy
of the Cold War
– states of Southeast Asia drawn into the cold war
from the 50’s through the 70’s
– French Indochina War until 1954
– US hostile to colonialism but aided the French to
reestablish control in French Indochina to prevent
the Communists from coming to power.
– Ho Chi Minh extremely popular, nationalist
patriot and Communist built a movement to expel
the French and obtain independence.
– US picked up the torch and continued war in
Vietnam until 1973 when the costs became too
high
– insurgencies in Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines
– non-aligned governments in Cambodia, Burma, and
Indonesia
– US very hostile towards “neutrals” like Norodom
Sihanouk in Cambodia and Sukarno in Indonesia
– abortive Communist coup in Indonesia results in the
Indonesian military coming to power. Much more
pro-West
– lack of reform in the Philippines under Ferdinand
Marcos, wide gaps between rich and poor, Filipino
democracy subverted by Marcos, rich established
families controlled politics of country
– communal problems between Chinese and Malays in
Malaysia; ethnic tensions threaten to come unglued
– Sihanouk overthrown by military coup supported by
the US
– popular monarch replaced by unpopular military
general
– Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge succeed in establishing
brutal communist dictatorship in Cambodia. Mass
murder of educated intellectuals; gross human rights
violations. “Killing Fields”
– Thailand most stable government in region with a
popular king a figurehead and military/civilian
government in charge of country
Economic
Development
– several Southeast Asian have made substantial
economic progress since 1960;s
– Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and
Philippines have good economic growth rates with
rising incomes
– Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Vietnam have lagged behind
the rest of the countries of the region.
– recently Vietnam opening the country up to market
forces, foreign investment, development of a thriving
business community.
Thailand
– occupies the heart of mainland Southeast Asia
– formerly known as Siam until 1939; name
Thailand means “land of the free”
– Thailand centered in delta of Chao Praya
(Menam) River
– Bangkok (5.5 mil) is a primate city serves as the
capital and major port for country; Chengmai,
(170K) main city in north
– Korat plateau in northeast Thailand has been
historically depressed, a poor area, inhabited by
hill tribes
– Karens, a hill tribe people, related by Cambodians
and Laotians found in Korat and Northwest
Thailand and Burma;
– southern Thailand near Kra Isthmus inhabited by
Malays
– 95% of Thailand’s population practice Buddhism;
most men become monks for a period in their life
– Siam traditionally ruled by strong absolute
monarchs (Anna and the King of Siam by
Margaret Landon adapted for the musical
The King and I)
– in modern period, the Thai king has become the
symbolic head of the government with no power
– King Bhomipol universally revered and loved by the
people; subtle and important influence on the
government
– Siam was historically a buffer between British and
French colonial rule; preserved their independence by
adroit diplomacy
– WW II, Siam allowed Japanese army to transit the
country, collaborated with the Japanese until the end
of the war a “Free Thai” movement took power,
approached the US for recognition and avoided
retaliation for their collaboration with the Japanese
during WW II
– Golden Triangle in NW was major source of opium
– 6 million Chinese influential in economic affairs,
control much of the economy
– Chinese in Thailand are very assimilated into social
structure unlike Chinese in other SE Asian countries
– guerrilla warfare in 1960’s and 1970’s successfully
suppressed with US economic assistance
– healthy agricultural sector of the economy growing
rice, tropical fruits, seafood for export, canned
products
– service sectors stimulated by US military presence
during Vietnam War years, especially bars, brothels,
and other forms of “entertainment”
– export based manufacturing doing well
– thriving Thai stock market with publicly traded
companies
– construction boom from 70’s through 90’s
– friendly business environment for investors
– good economic growth of 5-8% per year
– severe ecological problems specially in Bangkok
where canals (klongs) are polluted; car traffic
stifling, traffic jams horrible
– klongs crowed; transport by fast motorized Thai
canoes
– Asian economic flu adversely affecting Thailand
with the Thai bhat falling 50% in value
– banking failures, rising unemployment, cut in the
Thai standard of living; hard times today
– IMF mounting a rescue effort to bail Thailand out
of its economic problems
– Thailand is a strong supporter of ASEAN
(Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
– economy should snap back soon and resume its
positive course
– political problems with mild corruption and
ineffective civilian/military leaders
Thailand
Malaysia
– spatially fragmented state with a dense population
on the western coast and a sparse population in
Sarawak and Sabah
– original Federation of Malaysia included
Singapore, but fears of ethnic domination by
Chinese led to separation of Singapore from the
federation in 1965
– multiethnic population in Malaysia with 60%
ethnic Malays; 30% Chinese; and 10% Indian
– Chinese and Indians disproportionally found in
business and commerce
– Malays control the government of the country
– Penang (Pinang), a Chinese city in West Malaysia is
the Silicon Island of the country with major
investments by large MNC’s like Intel, HP, Sony,
Panasonic, etc.
– Malaysian economy traditionally dependent on tin
and rubber plantations; palm oil and copra also
important agricultural products
– area between Penang and Malaka was heartland for
tin and rubber production
– Malaka was major port for British during colonial
period: ideal location in shipping lanes
– Kuala Lumpur (KL) centrally located to serve as
capital and commercial center of country
– KL is a modern city with skyscrapers, luxury
shopping, upscale business, and financial
institutions
– tropical hardwoods (especially teak) produced in
Sarawak and Sabah
– Malaysia is an Islamic country, but practices
toleration of other faiths.
– Malaysia has democratic parliamentary form of
government based on British model; fundamental
freedoms of speech, press, assembly protected
– Malaysia has historically been well governed
– Malaysia is a strong supporter of ASEAN
(Association of Southeast Asian Nations) dedicated
to promoting trade among countries of region
– Malaysia has a strong, vibrant economy with
expanding per capita incomes for the people.
Malaysia
Singapore
– Singapore is a distinctive country because it’s a city
state of only 240 sq. miles
– only nation where Chinese constitute a majority of
the population (90% Chinese city)
– throughout colonial period, Singapore functioned as
a major trading entrepot for regional maritime trade
– historically functions as a leading transshipment and
processing center for Malay peninsula and Dutch
East Indies
– in 1990, Singapore surpassed Hong Kong as busiest
container port in world
– island generate substantial manufacturing exports
around the world
– by values most important exports include machinery
and transport equipment; basic manufactures, such
as textile yarn, fabric, iron, and steel; miscellaneous
manufactured articles; petroleum and petroleum
products; and food and live animals.
– The country's major exports are machinery and
transportation equipment and refined petroleum
products.
– also functions as global maritime center for
financial services, banking, insurance,
communications, consulting services
– serves as a regional center for multinational
corporations dealing with Asia
– assembles high tech products and electronic
products
– world’s largest producer of data storage units for
major computer firms in US, Japan, and Asia
– politically, Singapore among the most stable
democracies in world with outstanding political
leadership
– planning for the 21st century with a computer
network that will connect whole country
– Lee Kuan Yew, PM from 1959-1990 to responsible
for much of Singapore’s success
– Singapore one of the best functioning and cleanest
cities of the world. Even public housing is attractive
– heavy fines for anti-social behavior, no eating on
public transportation, heavy fines for failing to flush
toilets, high taxes to drive a car in central business
area
– Singapore benefited from fears over Hong Kong’s
return to China.
– per capital income of $26K for Singapore residents
Singapore
Indonesia
– large archipelago stretching 3,000 miles
– Indonesia one of the world's largest populated states
with over 200 million people
– six major islands constitute state of Indonesia- Java,
Sumatra, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Maluku, and
Irian Jaya
– smaller islands of Bali and East Timor also
important
– formerly ruled by the Dutch until 1949 when
Indonesia fought a bloody conflict with the
Netherlands for independence
– national motto is Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in
Diversity)
– diverse population of many cultures, languages,
religions, and ethnic groups
– 87% of the population are Muslims but many are
nominal Muslims
– regional problems have created problems for the
central government, i.e. Outer islands vs. Java and
problem of East Timor, a former Portuguese colonial
taken over militarily by the Indonesian military in
1975-76. Gross human rights violations
– problems of political stability, liberal democracy
through 1959, Guided Democracy under Sukarno,
then New Order Democracy under Suharto
– Suharto former high-ranking general who assumed
power in 1965 after an abortive communist coup
– Suharto opened Indonesia to Western influence and
foreign multinational investment
– oil industry boomed in 1970’s under Pertamina,
Indonesian National Oil Company
– boom in timber industry, Indonesian hardwoods
valuable but with great ecological destruction and
loss of habitat for endangered species like
orangutans
– host of state-owned or joint stock companies have
produced great economic growth in export
orientated businesses
– major opportunities for corruption and get rich
quick schemes
– Madam Tien Suharto, “Ms. Ten Percent”
– transmigration policies to encourage movement to
outer island
– impact of the Green Revolution on Indonesia rice
farming very positive
– current political and economic problems, the Asian
flu, poor Indonesian reaction to crisis, protests for
political change by students/ intellectuals
– Chinese as the “escape goat” for Indonesian
economic problems
– Political instability in Indonesia today, separatist
movements, Aceh, Maluku, Papua
– Suharto stepped down as President in 1998
– B.J Habibie, a close associate of Suharto took over
reigns of power as a transitional leader
– In the 1999 elections, Abdurrahman Wahid was
elected President of the Republic of Indonesia; in
2002 Megawati Sukarnoputri, Sukarno’s daughter
elected President; 2005 Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyorno
– Need for political and economic reform
– major economic problems in aftermath of Asian
flu, i.e. runaway inflation, currency devaluation
– continued high unemployment and high foreign
debts
– problems with terrorism in aftermath of Bali
bombings, attack on Marriot Hotel, etc.
– impact on tourism and foreign investment
– 2005 Tsunami in Banda Aceh
Indonesia