Southeast Asia: Review and Self-
1. Environment: Many of Southeast Asia’s most critical environmental issues relate in some way to climate change. Deforestation is rapid in this region and is a major global source of greenhouse gas emissions, which intensify climate change. This region is also highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Increased flooding and droughts threaten food production on land and rising ocean temperatures strain aquatic ecosystems.
How does deforestation lead to more greenhouse gas emissions?
How is food production for global markets related to deforestation?
How is deforestation related to increased risks of floods and droughts?
2. Globalization and Development: Globalization has brought both spectacular successes and occasional declines to the economies of Southeast Asia. Key to the economic development of this region are strategies that were pioneered earlier in East Asia: the formation of state-
How is globalization linked to the economic success of Southeast Asia?
How is globalization linked to rapid urbanization and the growth of slums in this region?
Why have global recessions caused such dramatic economic declines for the many workers in Southeast Asia?
3. Power and Politics: There has been a general expansion of political freedoms throughout Southeast Asia in recent decades, but authoritarianism, corruption, and violence have at times reversed these gains.
How does the history of colonialism in this region influence the current dynamics of political power?
What arguments have some Southeast Asian leaders made about Asian values not being compatible with Western ideas of democracy and political freedom?
Why are some countries concerned about China’s interest in the South China Sea?
What are some of the explanations for the violence against ethnic or religious minorities that tends to occur during hard economic times?
How is Indonesia’s government working to alleviate ethnic tensions?
4. Urbanization: While Southeast Asia as a whole is only 43 percent urban, its cities are growing rapidly as agricultural employment declines and urban industries expand. The largest Southeast Asian cities, which are receiving most of the new rural-
How have development strategies, such as mechanized agriculture and agribusiness, changed the degree of food self-
How are development and urbanization linked to the decision of many to migrate abroad for employment?
5. Population and Gender: Population dynamics vary considerably in this region because of differences in economic development, government policies, prescribed gender roles, and religious and cultural practices. With regard to gender, economic change has brought better job opportunities and increased status for women, who then often choose to have fewer children. Some countries also have gender imbalances because of a cultural preference for male children.
Where have population growth rates slowed the most in this region?
What is a major source of population growth for Singapore other than natural increase?
What are variations in population growth linked to in this region?
Where have efforts at HIV-
Describe the circumstances that have led to better job opportunities for women.
How are the improving roles and status of women changing attitudes toward female sex work?