Download SEAsia Talk - January 2014

Southeast Asia has a number of current issues, many of which
fall into the following 5 broad categories:
1. Globalization - Economics
2. Democracy & Human Rights
3. Ethnic and Religious Tensions
4. Powerful Outside Interests
5. Natural Hazards
6. Global Environmental Change
Southeast Asia has a number of current issues, many of which
fall into the following 5 broad categories:
1. Globalization - Economics
Globalization is reaching all parts of the world and it
is now moving throughout SE Asia.
Define Globalization
Globalization is reaching all parts of the world and it
is now moving throughout SE Asia.
Trade globalization is a type of economic
globalization and a measure (economic indicator) of
economic integration. On a global scale, it represents
the proportion of all world production that is used for
imports and exports between countries.
Trade is only one aspect of Globalization, but this
aspect is having profound influences in SE Asia.
Globalization homogenizes the Earth. Global Trade
diminishes diverse local industries and food crops in favor
of the economic efficiency of global production and trade.
Each country produces few products (food types), but over
produces in order to export what they are good at creating
and importing what they need.
This form of production and trade has been promoted by
the United States and other global powers along with
global financial institutions such as the World Bank.
Globalization has been able to reduce poverty in many
areas, but has created other problems such as inequality,
pollution, corruption, etc.
One aspect of globalization is the rise in the West’s
values—its mindset and expectations and aspirations—
democracy, consumerism, etc.
Drives global consumerism.
It’s a material culture where manufacturing races to the
bottom (lowest costs) to create a maximum profit.
Often most of the labor is done in developing countries
and most of the profits go to developed nations.
Concerning Globalization, SE Asia has:
Cheap Labor
Natural resources, such as timber
Location between East Asia and South Asia / Africa
It is a mammoth project: 12 countries are negotiating to form
an unprecedented free trade zone – the much-vaunted Trans
Pacific Partnership (TPP).
After Japan joined the talks in July, the proposed agreement
could encompass 800 million people in Asia and the Pacific
region – home to almost 40% of global GDP and a quarter of
world merchandise trade. Four Asean member states –
Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Brunei – are in sitting down
with the US, Chile, New Zealand, Canada, Peru, Australia,
Mexico and Japan.
Iondonesia’s economy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7b5beLuB7c
There are winners and losers with globalizations. Usually
corporations and corrupt government officials do well.
Global trade provides important economic earnings for
different SE Asian countries.
For example: Cambodia’s garment industry is the country’s
key foreign exchange earner – worth more than $5 billion this
year (2012) alone, mostly in exports to the U.S. and the
European Union. The sector is also Cambodia’s biggest formal
employer, with 400,000 workers.
In November 2013 there were major garment worker protests in
Cambodia.
Garment workers are angry that the government this week
decided to boost the monthly minimum wage by just $15 –
from $80 to $95. Many had expected it would double to $160.
The new minimum wage is due to come into effect in April
2014.
In November 2013 there were major garment worker protests in
Cambodia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c-30Vu_-70
 Eric Stan
An immediate raise in garment worker’s wages to $160
per month, like Sam Rainsy is proposing now, is completely
irresponsible because of the immediate catastrophic effects it will
have. All the factories will close and move to other countries where
the labor is cheaper, like Bangladesh ($67), Burma ($53), or
Vietnam ($78). This is a fact. Many of the companies in Cambodia
now have already done this in the past. The garment industry in
Cambodia makes up 80% of Cambodia’s total exports, which in
2012 was $4.61 billion USD.
Not only are workers protesting trade issues, but so are many of
the indigenous people of SEAsia.
Southeast Asia has a number of current issues, many of which
fall into the following 5 broad categories:
1. Globalization - Economics
2. Democracy & Human Rights
Democratization has been problematic across
much of Southeast Asia, and the region’s
governments generally possess lackluster human
rights records, with most violations occurring
around issues of press freedom and political
dissent.
Countries like Vietnam, Laos (both communist),
and Cambodia have largely foregone any efforts to
democratize, whereas Indonesia has taken huge
strides in democratization since 1998, as has
Malaysia since 1986.
Despite a long history of political oppression
against the Buddhist-inspired opposition,
military-ruled Burma (Myanmar) has embarked
on measured democratization since 2008.
Thailand has the most longstanding democracy in
the region, though it too has experienced brief
interludes of military intervention in politics as
recently as 2006.
The politics of Brunei take place in a
framework of an absolute monarchy, whereby
the Sultan of Brunei is both head of state and
head of government.
His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji
Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, is
the head of state with full executive authority.
Democracy is facing a serious challenge in South-east
Asia.
As popular sovereignty gains traction and ordinary
voters really start to have a say in who governs, the
traditional power alignments and ordering of societies
are fracturing.
Faced with unpredictable outcomes at the ballot box
that threaten their interests, usually conservative
forces are resisting electoral change and challenging
the legal basis of the democratic process.
In some cases they are doing this by harnessing
popular protest and threatening violence, as is the
case in Thailand. And when the establishment wins,
the opposition cries foul and seeks to overturn the
result, again using the power of the mob.
As a result, after a long period of struggle to establish
democratic representation as the basis of government
in the region, the electoral process is turning into a
flashpoint for violence and conflict.
Sound familiar – Arab Spring -
Polar world – 2 sides
In Thailand, 14 years of turbulent democracy ended
with a military coup in 2006. Elections eventually
resumed, but after anti-government protesters
camped in Bangkok's commercial center for months
in 2013 demanding new elections, the government
finally broke up the demonstrations and began
shooting and arresting protesters.
The two sides in Thailand’s political struggle are
hurtling towards what could be the most damaging
confrontation yet to hit a country whose reputation
for democratic and economic leadership in southeast
Asia is crumbling. The opposition is boycotting
elections called for February 2 and is intensifying
efforts to not only overthrow the government, but also
suspend the rule of parliament.
At a time when autocratic regimes are tightening their
grip in neighboring countries such as Cambodia and
Vietnam, both sides in Thailand have chipped away at
the credibility of one of the few relatively free
countries in a region of growing financial power.
Indonesia is the world's third-largest democracy and one of its
newest. But while Indonesia is consolidating its democratic
institutions and slowly making progress against endemic
corruption, democracy elsewhere in Southeast Asia is in
distress.
Elites hold tight to the reins of power across a diverse swath of
Southeast Asia. The Philippians have families which hold onto
power. Both Laos and Vietnam are legally one-party states,
while Cambodia and Singapore, despite elections, are
effectively so.
Malaysia holds competitive elections, but the media and
freedom of assembly are so restricted the opposition cannot
win at the national level. Malaysia's predominant political
party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), has
held power since Malaysia's independence in 1957.
In recent years there have been large political protests in
Malaysia, protesting a corrupt political system.
Bersih (clean) Political protest in Malaysia, 2011, Protesters
wanted cleaner elections.
Perhaps to prevent another Bersih, the Malaysian Parliament
has approved the controversial Peaceful Assembly Bill which
gives police and government authorities broad powers to
control and even ban street assemblies and protests.
Indonesia and East Timor are the only electoral democracies in
Southeast Asia, according to Freedom House, an independent
watchdog organization that advocates for democracy and
human rights. The Philippines and Thailand were considered
electoral democracies until campaign violence in the former
and the military coup in the latter caused Freedom House to
change their status a few years ago.
To determine which countries meet that higher standard,
Freedom House analyzes political rights, which include the
electoral process, government operations and political
pluralism and participation. It also analyzes civil liberties,
which include freedom of expression and belief, associational
and organizational rights, the rule of law and personal
autonomy and individual rights.
Democracy in SE Asia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X0JZ4PWLpw
Southeast Asia has a number of current issues, many of which
fall into the following 5 broad categories:
1. Globalization - Economics
2. Democracy & Human Rights
3. Ethnic and Religious Tensions
Compared to most places in the world, Southeast
Asia is subject to a disproportionally large number
of cultural conflicts.
Remember, SE Asia is a fragmented environment,
physically and culturally. Can Globalization bring
these different fractions together?
Ethnic and Religious Tensions
Current Tensions:
Myanmar – Buddhists and Muslims
Myanmar – Ethnic Burmese & Hill Tribes
Vietnam – Vietnamese and Hilltribes
Thailand – Thai government and Muslim rebels
Philippians – Government and Muslim rebels
Indonesia – New Guinea Independence
Indonesia – Muslim extremists
Indonesia – Moluccan islands – Christians & new settlers.
Cambodia – Issues with Vietnamese and Thai
Southeast Asia has a number of current issues, many of which
fall into the following 5 broad categories:
1. Globalization - Economics
2. Democracy & Human Rights
3. Ethnic and Religious Tensions
4. Powerful Outside Interests
Powerful Outside Interests
Throughout its history, SE Asia has been
influenced by powerful outside interests,
especially China and India, but also a prolonged
period of European Colonialism.
Today economic interests draw in many outside
players.
Powerful Outside Interests
Conflict over ocean territory
China seas video
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/9259
590/The-rock-that-could-start-a-war-China-and-Philippinesin-dispute-over-South-China-Sea-island.html
Southeast Asia has a number of current issues, many of which
fall into the following 5 broad categories:
1. Globalization - Economics
2. Democracy & Human Rights
3. Ethnic and Religious Tensions
4. Powerful Outside Interests
5. Natural Hazards
Natural Hazards
Earthquakes (Tsunamis)
Volcanos
Typhoons
http://www.dw.de/philippines-a-country-prone-tonatural-disasters/a-17217404
Southeast Asia has a number of current issues, many of which
fall into the following 5 broad categories:
1. Globalization - Economics
2. Democracy & Human Rights
3. Ethnic and Religious Tensions
4. Powerful Outside Interests
5. Natural Hazards
6. Global Environmental Change
Global Environmental Change
Primary concern: Global Climate Change
But Also –
Deforestation
Overfishing
Species Extinction
Pollution
Exposed and vulnerable: Southeast Asia is
vulnerable to climate change for three
main reasons:
1. Most of the population and economic activity is along
the coastline, which is more vulnerable to physical
impacts such as storms and rising sea levels.
2. The economy is closely linked to natural resources, such
as agriculture, forestry and fisheries, which will be
negatively affected by deterioration in climatic conditions.
3. Finally, the relative level of poverty in the region is high
compared to the world average.
Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most vulnerable
regions to climate change. Last year, 176 million
people in the region were affected by natural disasters
such as flooding and cyclones, with 3.5 million
displaced due to climate-related catastrophes.
The human and economic cost of climate change is
already worrying, but experts warn this might only be
the tip of the iceberg. Under current trends, more
than 55 million Southeast Asians will be at risk from
rising sea levels by 2050, leading to colossal
migrations and salinisation of arable lands and
freshwater reserves. Business-as-usual emissions
could cause economic losses of $230 billion each year
– or 6.7% of the region’s gross domestic product – by
the end of the century.
 With a current share of 3.5% of global greenhouse
gas emissions, Southeast Asia is far from being a
major contributor to the phenomenon.
 However, today’s growing energy demand in Asean,
fuelled by rapid population growth, urbanisation
and industrialisation, is likely to double the region’s
share in the near future.
 The current situation calls for an immediate shift in
environmental policies in the world, but also in the
region. Investment in renewable energies and the
end of mass deforestation – Cambodia has one of
the highest deforestation rates in the world – is
necessary if Asean is to avoid a Waterworld-style
destiny.
 Related to climate change is weather variability and
food vulnerability.
 Many scientists are saying that he world is entering an
era of permanent food crisis that will hit the poor
hardest and spark social unrest. Ill-prepared and
exposed to the elements, Southeast Asia remains
particularly vulnerable
 Unprecedented floodwaters besieged much of the
region during 2011’s monsoon season, killing
hundreds and wiping out 1.6m hectares of standing
crop in Thailand alone. The all out weather assault
on rice fields across Cambodia, the Philippines,
Thailand and Vietnam prompted fears of food
shortages and spiralling food prices. However, as
extreme weather patterns intensify, experts warn
that food security concerns will increasingly become
a reality in Southeast Asia.
The climate hazard index used in this study is a
simple average of five standardized climate
related hazards (cyclones, floods, and droughts
in terms of average annual frequency of
occurrence from 1980-2000, the degree of
landslide risk, and the extent of a 5-meter
inundation zone due to sea level rise).
World Bank
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LllCa_hHfJo
Illegal wildlife trade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN3dp3iDND0