SE Asia is truly a fascinating region of the world with its diverse cultures, languages, religions, and political systems. Modern SE Asia is brimming with potential for becoming a major economic power, at least with the ability to drag its people out of the extreme poverty that has gripped the region for so long.
The cultural variety in the region is a testament to the resilience of the people to maintain their identity despite the efforts of outside powers.
The colonial period is a sad chapter in the history of SE Asia, but one that offers many lessons for those that study the region. The colonial powers had no right to do the things they did in SE Asia and any modern argument that it was for their own good is insulting and glosses over the fact that the European powers systematically exploited the people of SE Asia because they they had the power to do so. Hopefully, modern powers such as the United States will stop meddling in the region.
The aftermath of the anti-colonial movement and the establishment of totalitarian governments should act as a object lesson of what happens in a power vacuum. The region needs stable government that serves the people. They must institute a system that ensures smooth transitions of power and limits or removes the involvement of the military in political affairs.
I hope that SE Asia can heal from the scars of the colonial past and horrible leadership and emerge as an economic powerhouse with a spectacular cultural diversity. All of the pieces are in place, but it is still an uphill battle to overcome their past to enjoy a much more positive future.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Freedom in SE Asia
At times it seems like SE Asia is heading in the right direction with its leadership and freedom. Even Vietnam has made some progress toward capitalism and increased freedom (albeit slight). Then I hear about Thailand and the military coup and instability of the elected government and I have to wonder what is really going on. Can a country where the military can seize control from a legitimate elected government just because they decide that a particular leader is unworthy expect lasting freedom? I would say the answer is a resounding, "no!"
In truly free societies, we have mechanisms that allow for the removal of elected officials. There are impeachment, recalls, and elections. If a leader doesn't do the job, we just vote them out. If a leader is corrupt, they can be impeached or, in some areas, recalled. Our system has its flaws, but it generally assures a peaceful transition of power and the military stays out of it. When the military gets involved, it is a sign of a power vacuum and bad things happen when there are power vacuums. The most despicable, ruthless, and power-hungry dictators-in-waiting thrive in power vacuums and crisis. They take advantage of weaknesses in the system to seize power and then they don't relinquish the power. In a country where the military can seize control whenever they feel like, it is only a matter of time before they don't give it back.
I am concerned that normalized relations between the U.S. and Vietnam will mean that there is more free trade, but no more freedom for the people of Vietnam. Still, free trade and an open economy are strong precursors to overall freedom and is welcome progress.
In truly free societies, we have mechanisms that allow for the removal of elected officials. There are impeachment, recalls, and elections. If a leader doesn't do the job, we just vote them out. If a leader is corrupt, they can be impeached or, in some areas, recalled. Our system has its flaws, but it generally assures a peaceful transition of power and the military stays out of it. When the military gets involved, it is a sign of a power vacuum and bad things happen when there are power vacuums. The most despicable, ruthless, and power-hungry dictators-in-waiting thrive in power vacuums and crisis. They take advantage of weaknesses in the system to seize power and then they don't relinquish the power. In a country where the military can seize control whenever they feel like, it is only a matter of time before they don't give it back.
I am concerned that normalized relations between the U.S. and Vietnam will mean that there is more free trade, but no more freedom for the people of Vietnam. Still, free trade and an open economy are strong precursors to overall freedom and is welcome progress.
The Future of SE Asia
In looking at any region, you have to ask what is best for the people, in general. Once you come up with some answers, you then have to look at what interferes with the people getting what is best for them.
In the past, SE Asian people suffered through tyrants of all variety and then colonial oppression and lack of self-determination. Once they rose up and threw off the bonds of colonialism, they failed to see the enemy within in the form of communist and other authoritarian leaders that committed atrocities, quashed freedom, and instituted policies that benefited themselves, but kept their people in abject poverty.
I think SE Asia needs two things:
First, SE Asia needs for other countries such as the United States, Europe, and China to mind their own business and to stop meddling. The specter of colonial control remains. The United States puts pressure on the region to combat terrorism and drugs at the exclusion of policies that would benefit the people. It is not that combating terrorism is a bad thing, its just that the extreme overreaction and heavy handed policies are not healthy for the region.
Secondly, SE Asia needs leaders that will institute economic policies that will allow the region to emerge from the plague of extreme poverty. They need capitalism free of suffocating bureaucratic regulations. They need leaders who do not treat their country as their own private kingdom. They need to institute policies and create a power structure that prevent brutal dictators from emerging and they need to reign in military control.
Almost all of the nations need to move from an agrarian society to services and manufacturing. They need an educated labor force and for that they need a reliable education system. The governments need to get out of the way of the free market and allow people to start businesses and take advantage of the myriad of economic opportunities around the world.
The region holds much promise. They have they have a large population that could be turned into an asset. They have natural resources and the geographic advantage of sitting between two emerging economic power in India and China. Perhaps this time, SE Asia will get the full benefit of trade with India and China rather than having an unwanted colonial "middleman" take control.
Unfortunately, if SE Asia continues the pattern of bad leadership and fails to change its economic ways, we will be talking about the unfulfilled promise of SE Asia 50 years from now.
In the past, SE Asian people suffered through tyrants of all variety and then colonial oppression and lack of self-determination. Once they rose up and threw off the bonds of colonialism, they failed to see the enemy within in the form of communist and other authoritarian leaders that committed atrocities, quashed freedom, and instituted policies that benefited themselves, but kept their people in abject poverty.
I think SE Asia needs two things:
First, SE Asia needs for other countries such as the United States, Europe, and China to mind their own business and to stop meddling. The specter of colonial control remains. The United States puts pressure on the region to combat terrorism and drugs at the exclusion of policies that would benefit the people. It is not that combating terrorism is a bad thing, its just that the extreme overreaction and heavy handed policies are not healthy for the region.
Secondly, SE Asia needs leaders that will institute economic policies that will allow the region to emerge from the plague of extreme poverty. They need capitalism free of suffocating bureaucratic regulations. They need leaders who do not treat their country as their own private kingdom. They need to institute policies and create a power structure that prevent brutal dictators from emerging and they need to reign in military control.
Almost all of the nations need to move from an agrarian society to services and manufacturing. They need an educated labor force and for that they need a reliable education system. The governments need to get out of the way of the free market and allow people to start businesses and take advantage of the myriad of economic opportunities around the world.
The region holds much promise. They have they have a large population that could be turned into an asset. They have natural resources and the geographic advantage of sitting between two emerging economic power in India and China. Perhaps this time, SE Asia will get the full benefit of trade with India and China rather than having an unwanted colonial "middleman" take control.
Unfortunately, if SE Asia continues the pattern of bad leadership and fails to change its economic ways, we will be talking about the unfulfilled promise of SE Asia 50 years from now.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Nicolaides Publicity Stunt?
As a follow up to the Nicolaides situation:
This story says that a former colleague of Nicolaides claims that he talked to him about gaining fame by breaking the lese majeste law. It seems unlikely to me that he did not know that insulting the king was a big deal in Thailand. Still, I can't imagine someone so desperate for a little fame that they would risk a long prison sentence in a Thai prison.
This story says that a former colleague of Nicolaides claims that he talked to him about gaining fame by breaking the lese majeste law. It seems unlikely to me that he did not know that insulting the king was a big deal in Thailand. Still, I can't imagine someone so desperate for a little fame that they would risk a long prison sentence in a Thai prison.
Forced Repatriation of Hmong in Thailand
We have discussed the Thai handling of refugees from Myanmar and the possible human rights violations. Perhaps an even greater human rights issue is the Thai effort to force Hmong people to return to Laos, a place where the communist regime has carried out a policy of genocide of the Hmong people since they fought against the communists during the Vietnam war.
The Hmong were convinced by the U.S. government (with prompting by the CIA) to fight against the communists in Laos and against the Vietnamese who built the Ho Chi Mihn trail to move supplies and troops from North Vietnam and China across Laos to attack South Vietnam. The only thing that stood between smooth and extensive logistical flow were the Hmong in Laos who acted as the only ground forces to stem the flow of North Vietnamese and Chinese troops, weapons, and supplies along the extensive Ho Chi Mihn trail.
Once the Vietnam War ended, the United States withdrew all support for the Hmong. Where they at least had U.S. air support during the war, they were left to fight a hopeless battle against the brutal communist regimes in Vietnam and in their own country. The brutal Pathet Lao regime carried out a systematic effort to exterminate the over matched Hmong. The Pathet Lao used chemical and biological weapons against the Hmong in their genocidal efforts.
Facing certain genocide, many Hmong fled across the Mekong River into Thailand. A very high percentage of Hmong perished in the exodus. They lived in refugee camps in Thailand (under typically abysmal refugee camp conditions) and those few who could, emigrated to the United States. The Hmong that still live in Laos are considered "terrorists" and live their lives hunted by the Laotian government.
Despite the Hmong sacrifice, the United States government denied any involvement in a "secret" war in Laos. It was not until 1997 that Hmong efforts in fighting against the Vietnamese was formally recognized by a small memorial at Arlington National Cemetary to honor the Hmong and Laotians who fought against the communists. Hmong veterans paid for the memorial.
In 1991, the Thai government began implementing a plan of forced repatriation of Hmong people back to Laos where conditions had not improved and death was all but certain for anyone forced back.
In 2004, the U.S. State Department announced that an estimated 15000 Hmong refugees in Wat Tham Krabok refugee camp would be allowed to come to the United States as described in this State Department article.
To this day, the Hmong in Thailand live in fear of repatriation by the Thai military and there is strong evidence of abuse by the Thai military in Hmong refugee camps. This story from the Asia Times Online covers the recent systematic effort by the Thai military to send the remaining Hmong refugees back to Laos, most likely against their will. Unfortunately, according to the article, the United States is involved in the effort to make the "problem" go away in an effort to improve relations with a brutal communist regime. I shudder to think that our own government is complicit in sending 5000 people back to a regime that wants them dead.
More Hmong Resources:
Building Bridges: Teaching about the Hmong in our Communities - notes from a presentation at the Hmong Cultural Resource Center in St. Paul, MN. This is a great overview of the history and modern plight of the Hmong people.
Hmong Homepage - a large directory of Hmong resources.
Still a Secret War - a short YouTube video on the Hmong plight.
The Hmong were convinced by the U.S. government (with prompting by the CIA) to fight against the communists in Laos and against the Vietnamese who built the Ho Chi Mihn trail to move supplies and troops from North Vietnam and China across Laos to attack South Vietnam. The only thing that stood between smooth and extensive logistical flow were the Hmong in Laos who acted as the only ground forces to stem the flow of North Vietnamese and Chinese troops, weapons, and supplies along the extensive Ho Chi Mihn trail.
Once the Vietnam War ended, the United States withdrew all support for the Hmong. Where they at least had U.S. air support during the war, they were left to fight a hopeless battle against the brutal communist regimes in Vietnam and in their own country. The brutal Pathet Lao regime carried out a systematic effort to exterminate the over matched Hmong. The Pathet Lao used chemical and biological weapons against the Hmong in their genocidal efforts.
Facing certain genocide, many Hmong fled across the Mekong River into Thailand. A very high percentage of Hmong perished in the exodus. They lived in refugee camps in Thailand (under typically abysmal refugee camp conditions) and those few who could, emigrated to the United States. The Hmong that still live in Laos are considered "terrorists" and live their lives hunted by the Laotian government.
Despite the Hmong sacrifice, the United States government denied any involvement in a "secret" war in Laos. It was not until 1997 that Hmong efforts in fighting against the Vietnamese was formally recognized by a small memorial at Arlington National Cemetary to honor the Hmong and Laotians who fought against the communists. Hmong veterans paid for the memorial.
In 1991, the Thai government began implementing a plan of forced repatriation of Hmong people back to Laos where conditions had not improved and death was all but certain for anyone forced back.
In 2004, the U.S. State Department announced that an estimated 15000 Hmong refugees in Wat Tham Krabok refugee camp would be allowed to come to the United States as described in this State Department article.
To this day, the Hmong in Thailand live in fear of repatriation by the Thai military and there is strong evidence of abuse by the Thai military in Hmong refugee camps. This story from the Asia Times Online covers the recent systematic effort by the Thai military to send the remaining Hmong refugees back to Laos, most likely against their will. Unfortunately, according to the article, the United States is involved in the effort to make the "problem" go away in an effort to improve relations with a brutal communist regime. I shudder to think that our own government is complicit in sending 5000 people back to a regime that wants them dead.
More Hmong Resources:
Building Bridges: Teaching about the Hmong in our Communities - notes from a presentation at the Hmong Cultural Resource Center in St. Paul, MN. This is a great overview of the history and modern plight of the Hmong people.
Hmong Homepage - a large directory of Hmong resources.
Still a Secret War - a short YouTube video on the Hmong plight.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Gran Torino
I had the privilege of seeing the Clint Eastwood movie Gran Torino yesterday. Going in, I had no idea that there would be a SE Asian connection in the movie.
The movie centers around Walt Kowalski, an aging Korean War vet and retired Ford autoworker who just lost his wife. Walt is stubborn and refuses to leave his house in a rundown Detroit neighborhood despite the crime, gang activity, and being one of the few remaining Caucasians. He lives next door to an Asian family who we discover are Hmong.
Walt hates Asians and uses a variety of racial epithets to describe them. He does not even attempt to hide his disgust and contempt of living next door to an Asian family.
The movie is about culture clash. The clash between Walt, an old school veteran of a Asian war who does not understand how Asian people ended up surrounding him in the Midwest United States. It is about the culture clash of multiple ethnic groups trying to live together in harsh circumstances. It is about the culture clash of hard working people trying to cope with predatory gangs of young thugs. Without giving too much away, it is about an "old dog" learning new tricks in accepting people with different looks, beliefs, and customs.
The SE Asian connection made it even more interesting. There are a couple of fine "history" moments such as when Sue, the teen Hmong neighbor, explains to Walt that the Hmong people are hill people, not jungle people and that they fought the communists in Laos on the U.S. side until the U.S. "bailed".
The story of the Hmong people and how they ended up in the United States is both fascinating and tragic. They fought against the communists in Laos during the Vietnam War. This was known as the "secret" war as the United States simply refused to admit any part in a war in Laos until recently. The United States left the area to the communists, led by the brutal communist group Pathet Lao. Pathet Lao publicly called for the extermination of the Hmong people which they begun to carry out.
I will probably write more about the Hmong in future posts, but I will finish by saying that I would have missed out on the story had I not gone to see Gran Torino. I highly recommend the movie.
The movie centers around Walt Kowalski, an aging Korean War vet and retired Ford autoworker who just lost his wife. Walt is stubborn and refuses to leave his house in a rundown Detroit neighborhood despite the crime, gang activity, and being one of the few remaining Caucasians. He lives next door to an Asian family who we discover are Hmong.
Walt hates Asians and uses a variety of racial epithets to describe them. He does not even attempt to hide his disgust and contempt of living next door to an Asian family.
The movie is about culture clash. The clash between Walt, an old school veteran of a Asian war who does not understand how Asian people ended up surrounding him in the Midwest United States. It is about the culture clash of multiple ethnic groups trying to live together in harsh circumstances. It is about the culture clash of hard working people trying to cope with predatory gangs of young thugs. Without giving too much away, it is about an "old dog" learning new tricks in accepting people with different looks, beliefs, and customs.
The SE Asian connection made it even more interesting. There are a couple of fine "history" moments such as when Sue, the teen Hmong neighbor, explains to Walt that the Hmong people are hill people, not jungle people and that they fought the communists in Laos on the U.S. side until the U.S. "bailed".
The story of the Hmong people and how they ended up in the United States is both fascinating and tragic. They fought against the communists in Laos during the Vietnam War. This was known as the "secret" war as the United States simply refused to admit any part in a war in Laos until recently. The United States left the area to the communists, led by the brutal communist group Pathet Lao. Pathet Lao publicly called for the extermination of the Hmong people which they begun to carry out.
I will probably write more about the Hmong in future posts, but I will finish by saying that I would have missed out on the story had I not gone to see Gran Torino. I highly recommend the movie.
SE Asian Leaders
Analyzing the effectiveness of SE Asian leaders during the colonial period is difficult. It is easy to argue that the leaders did what they could in the face of overwhelming European military power. They had little choice but to give in to the demands of the Europeans. It would be very easy to give these leaders a free pass for not doing more. When we take a closer look, it is clear that the leaders in SE Asia were also self-serving and frequently used the European powers to maintain their own power. Those capable of getting into power do not relinquish it easily. I think many of the leaders in SE Asia were nothing more than colonial puppets, but to these "leaders" being a colonial puppet with some power was better than having no power at all.
The leaders of the anti-colonial movement fought under the guise of throwing off the bonds of colonial oppressors, but in hindsight, many of them had more sinister plans. Communist revolutionaries had the short term goal of overthrowing an oppressive regime with the support of the people, not to install a democratic and honest system, but to install a new totalitarian regime. The intent was to overthrow the colonial regimes so that the new leaders could rule at their whim without being puppets of the colonial powers. One only has to look at what happened in Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos to see how the new regimes treated their own people once they gained power.
Even today, the specter of totalitarian regimes haunts SE Asia. Vietnam, Myanmar, and Laos are still ruled by totalitarian regimes. The remainder of the SE Asian countries enjoy various levels of freedom, but none are close to free.
Ultimately, I judge the leaders of a country by the level of freedom allowed. Did the leaders bring true freedom or did they merely grab power for themselves and brutally oppress their own people? By that criteria, SE Asian leaders have failed their people.
The leaders of the anti-colonial movement fought under the guise of throwing off the bonds of colonial oppressors, but in hindsight, many of them had more sinister plans. Communist revolutionaries had the short term goal of overthrowing an oppressive regime with the support of the people, not to install a democratic and honest system, but to install a new totalitarian regime. The intent was to overthrow the colonial regimes so that the new leaders could rule at their whim without being puppets of the colonial powers. One only has to look at what happened in Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos to see how the new regimes treated their own people once they gained power.
Even today, the specter of totalitarian regimes haunts SE Asia. Vietnam, Myanmar, and Laos are still ruled by totalitarian regimes. The remainder of the SE Asian countries enjoy various levels of freedom, but none are close to free.
Ultimately, I judge the leaders of a country by the level of freedom allowed. Did the leaders bring true freedom or did they merely grab power for themselves and brutally oppress their own people? By that criteria, SE Asian leaders have failed their people.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)