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 worlds population and 20% of worlds 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.

 Social & political instability of many Pacific Rim nations & intense ethnic rivalries divided the people.(The Nation 9 Jan 1989)
Civil only Myanmar Cambodia China- Tibet IndonesiaEast Timor Philippines Vietnam * * * * * * * * * * * * * Civil/in Religious UN ternati /ethnic involve onal ment Superpo wer involved Estimated total deaths 6000 since 1985 2.2 million since 1970 1.2 million since 1956 1 lakh since 1975 35,000 since 1972 4.5 million (1945-1975)

Troubles in the RIM

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 worlds 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 neighbours 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 sustainabilityJapan- 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 worlds 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 Thais 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.