The Pacific Rim

• The term Pacific Rim refers to 20 countries/ administrative units along the Asian side of the pacific Rim.

• It also includes numerous islands of the Pacific.

• They home 30% of world’s population and 20% of world’s GNP.

The Pacific Rim• Geographically one can include Mexico, Chile, Canada, USA,

Russia.

• Geographically Myanmar(Burma) and Laos can be excluded.

• The selection of the countries stem from the fairly recent developments in economic and geographical power that have affected countries of Asia, South-east Asia and the Pacific .

• The regions included are now being referred to by international corporate and political leaders as a single block.

The Pacific Rim

• Many countries in questions share similar cultural influences such Buddhism and rice cultivation.

• Culturally, politically and sociologically diverse region

• But there is a new trend where the entire Pacific Rim will share:– a common economic system (free market/state

capitalism) – and some common lifestyle values (materialism and mass

consumption)

The Pacific Rim

• Common awareness of the value of peaceful interdependence – steady improvement in the standard of living

• What are the powerful forces that are fueling these trends?– Nationalism and global communications– Japanese currency (yen) and Japanese business

strategies

Japan & The Pacific Rim• Japanese aid and investment• Post WW II (1960s)- high quality products to

North American & European markets

• 1980s- free trade agreements among North American countries & common European economic community (economic blocs)

• Led Japan to heavily invest in countries nearer its own borders.

Troubles in the RIM• Social & political instability of many Pacific Rim nations &

intense ethnic rivalries divided the people.(The Nation 9 Jan 1989)

Civil only

Civil/international

Religious/ethnic

UN involvement

Superpower involved

Estimated total deaths

Myanmar * 6000 since 1985

Cambodia * * * 2.2 million since 1970

China- Tibet * 1.2 million since 1956

Indonesia- East Timor

* * * 1 lakh since 1975

Philippines * * * 35,000 since 1972

Vietnam * * 4.5 million (1945-1975)

Troubles in the RIM – (a) Warfare

• Outlawed Khmer Rouge – guerrilla war against elected govt of Cambodia

• Japan- Russia dispute over ownership of islands to the north of Hokkaido

• Taiwan- China issue over territory• Vietnam- China dispute over boundary• Issue between South Korea & North Korea

Troubles in the RIM – (a) Warfare

• Concern over the area of the South China sea– Likelihood of large oil deposits near the rocks &

reefs of the Spartly islands – 1970s– China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia,

Brunei – claiming the area– China Vs Vietnam– China claiming sovereignty over almost the entire

South China sea.

Troubles in the RIM – (a) Warfare

• Ethnic tensions– Fiji- locals Vs immigrant Indians– South Asia – locals vs. the Chinese

Muslims Vs Christians– China – the Tibetans & most other ethnic

groups Vs. the Han Chinese

Troubles in the RIM – (a) Warfare• With the end of cold war U.S was forced to withdraw

its naval base from Vietnam and Philippines

• Thus encouraged Japan to assume larger military role in the region.

• Japan has acted to increase its military preparedness

• In response China has also increased its purchase of military equipment

• Some largest armies in the world are in the Pacific Rim.

Troubles in the RIM – (a) Warfare• The tragedy of warfare could continue unless governments

manage conflict carefully.• In some cases mutual cooperation is already replacing animosity.

• Thailand and Vietnam- sincerely trying to resolve fishing rights disputes in the Gulf of Thailand.

• North and South Korea have agreed to allow some cross border visitation.

• Taiwan and China have also settled issues relating to fisheries.

(b) Overpopulation

• There are well over 2 billion people living in the Pacific Rim.

• China - most populous

• Efforts from Chinese government to control population through strictest family planning policies in the world.

• In some countries like Japan, South Korea and Thailand, single child families and aging population are creating problems.

(b) Overpopulation• Still, so many children have already been born that pacific

Rim governments simply cannot meet their needs.

• As the population density increases, the quality of life decreases.

• Population density - New York City (1,100 per square mile) – Tokyo (2,400) – Manila (51,000)

• Demographers predict that world’s largest cities will be in Pacific Rim.

(c ) Political Instability

• People challenging the very right of their govts to rule – demand for change in political philosophy

• Cambodia- govt installed by the military of Vietnam; • Opposition groups armed with sophisticated weapons

donated by foreign nations• Authoritarian govt. in South Korea, China, Myanmar

• Military Coup attempts in Philippines, Thailand, Fiji• Military takeovers, political assassinations & repressive

policies has been the norm of the region…

(c ) Political Instability

• Diversity of language, religions, racial and ethnic origin, unfair distribution of wealth

• Educated well fed Vs illiterate & malnourished

• All are afraid that their particular language/religion/ethnic group/ social class will be negatively affected by any leader not of their own background.

(d) Identity Confusion

• Confusion about personal and national identity.

• Creation of nation-states in response to Western pressure as against tribe/ethnic group

• Change in political boundaries- ethnic groups from adjacent countries inside the neighbour’s territory.

Identity Confusion

• Years of influence from the colonial era- unsure of roots: European/ Asian Pacific

• People in Singapore, Hong Kong and the Pacific Islands unsure of their root/identity

• Indonesia: Muslim country- 87% muslims; North Sumatra (30% Protestant); Bali (94 % Hindu); East Timor (49% Catholic & 51% animist)

• Philippines: 88 languages; 12 islands

(e) Uneven Economic Development

• Strong disparity (Japan Vs Laos)• Japanese saving – $45,000 per person • Laotians struggling for square meal

• Developed nations with economic sustainability- Japan- exporting 1/3 of its products to US

• Japanese – Buddhists – now interested in profit maximization.

Uneven Economic Development

• Korea, Taiwan, Singapore – successfully searching for more ways to make money

• Pacific islands lagging further behind

• Newly Industrializing Countries (NICs) South Korea (ship building, steel manufacturing) , Taiwan (camera, calculator), Hong Kong

• Taiwan – Highest GNP in the world for past 20 years

Uneven Economic Development

• Resource-rich developing nations- Full of natural resources – held back economically by political and cultural instability

• Example: Malaysia – endowed with tropical forests and large oil and gas reserve – ruled by coalition government – nearly a dozen race based parties

Uneven Economic Development• Post 1978 – Japan started investing in Malaysia –

More than 3000 companies doing business – one of the world’s large exporters

• Command Economies - lag far behind – inefficiency of the system – military dictatorship – continual warfare

• Significant changes taking place in such nations• Ex: China and Vietnam

Uneven Economic Development

• Less Developed Countries (LDCs) – small micro states in the Pacific region – limited resource – tiny internal market

• Ex: Papua New Guinea – recently got independence – searching for proper role in the world economy.

Environmental Destruction and Social ills

• Malaysia/Indonesia - Rapid development – loss of pristine forest

• Malaysia – cutting trees to satisfy the demands of the international market

• – especially Japan• -Forests are disappearing at a rate of 3% a year

• Hydroelectric dam construction in other Asian countries – seriously affecting natural environment

Environmental Destruction and Social ills

• In Asia – serious disease like AIDS spreading rapidly

• In 1994 – Thai Govt. reported that by 1997 2.4 millions of Thai’s will be HIV-positive.

• According to sources, by 2008, 5,85,830 people have died of this since 1984.

• WHO reported that AIDS is growing fast in Asia and Africa than anywhere else in the world.