Southeast Asia

Author: RIGG
Edition: Second
Binding: Paperback
Number of Pages: 408
Release Date: 24-10-2002
EAN: 9780367238889
Languages: English

Details:
The growth economies of Southeast Asia are presented by the World Bank and others as exemplars of development—'miracle' economies to be emulated. But how did the region attain such status? Are the 'other' countries of Southeast Asia able to replicate such rapid growth? This book charts the development of Southeast Asia, examining the economies of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Burma alongside the established Asian market economies.

Drawing on case studies from across the region, the author assesses poverty and how the poor are identified and viewed. The book delves into the processes and changes in rural and urban 'worlds,' focusing on the strengthening rural-urban interaction as farmers make a living in the urban-industrial sector and factories relocate into agricultural areas.

Giving prominence to indigenous notions of development, based on Buddhism, Islam, and the so-called 'Asian way,' the author critically assesses the conceptual foundations of development, ideas of post-developmentalism, and the 'miracle' thesis. In light of the experience of one of the most vibrant regions in the world, the book places emphasis on the process of modernization within the wider debates of development and challenges the notion that development has been a mirage for many and a tragedy for some.