SE Asian Traditions

1. SE Asian Traditions Cultures, Governments, and Economies of SE Asia

2. Traditions and Modernization • Role of Buddhism in Thailand • In past, all young men spent part of their lives as a monk • Today, only ½ practice this tradition, and only for a few months • Historically, monasteries served as schools and hospitals • Today children attend government schools and people seek medical care elsewhere

3. Traditions and Modernization • Traditions kept alive • Puppet shows remain popular • Ancient stories tell about kings, heroes, battles • Modern stories tell of Indonesia’s fight for independence • Government opens theaters for artist to perform • Government owned stores provide outlets for traditional crafts

4. Governments of SE Asia • Some SE Asian countries are authoritarian • Leader or elite group with power use power for own benefit, not for the people they lead • Authoritarianism partly result of colonialism • Native people not permitted have much of role in governmental affairs

5. Governments of SE Asia-cont. • Each country has constitution that promises citizens right to vote • Elections, if held, strictly controlled • Political parties outlawed if they oppose ruling government • Freedom of speech limited • Critics of government often jailed

6. Governments of SE Asia-cont. • Democratic government has not had much of foundation • Philippines most democratic government in region • Filipinos lost rights for years

7. Urbanization in SE Asia • Move to cities • Poor farmers had sell land when couldn’t compete with wealthier farmers • Wealthy able buy fertilizer and pesticides which boosted farm output • Natural disasters sometimes destroyed people’s livelihood • Opportunity for better life • Become more than farmer or fisherman

8. Urbanization in SE Asia-cont. • Change in village life • Less isolated • Busses and motorcycles transport people between cities and towns and villages • Most villagers have radios and TVs • Put them in touch with larger world

9. Trade Routes in SE Asia • Singapore • Region’s wealthiest nation • Trade made nation world leader in banking, industry, and tourism • Located on one world’s busiest shipping lanes • Has busiest port in world • Due to nation’s high technology

10. Trade Routes in SE Asia-cont. • Singapore • Location ideal gathering SE Asia’s goods • Goods usually pass through country • Oil from Indonesia • Tin and rubber from Malaysia

11. Increasing SE Asia’s Wealth • Nations developing their own industries • Governments looked to foreign investors in 1990s • Japanese, American, and European countries set up joint projects with local business leaders • With foreign capital, local business leaders built textile factories and other industries • Paid low wages to unskilled workers • High technology projects now being manufactured

12. Increasing SE Asia’s Wealth-cont. • Economies of several SE Asian countries are growing • ASEAN • Association of Southeast Asian Nations • Members • Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand

13. Increasing SE Asia’s Wealth-cont. • Goals of ASEAN • Solve region’s social and economic problems by working together • Successes • Promoted good working relationships among region’s nations • Enjoying benefits of expanding trade on Asia’s Pacific Rim

14. Increasing SE Asia’s Wealth-cont. • Petronas Towers • Second tallest buildings in the world • Bangkok, Thailand • Showcase of SE Asia’s economic development