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.
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I agree that the region is a fascinating place to examine and it has many lessons to offer. Colionials should have not interfered but they did not care about the indiegenous populations. They took what they wanted and "raped" the locals. Colonizers use arguments like civilizing and modernizing the colonized. I am not sure if the region will ever be able to shed its colonial scars because there are still colonizing forces in the region. American soldiers will continue to stay in the region to support trade. The sex industry has taken off in places like Thailand. I wonder if the region can prosper in the next half century? I think that some will but others will falter. There are poor countries like Laos and cambodia? How will they survive without outside influence?
ReplyDeleteThe bottom line is that the region is in transition, and as of now that transition has not been smooth.
Kevin, I agree and disagree. In terms of the United States "meddling" in region, Southeast Asia could be completely Communist, bolstering the former Soviet Union, and China, leaving the US in extreme danger. As someone who has spent extensive time in the region, I agree that colonialism has weakened culture and tradition but in speaking with both the younger and older generations, they have expressed satisfaction, and an embracing of Western influence. They feel fortunate, and proud to be part of the global community that has primarily been led, and shaped by the West. I feel following the lead of the West can further the region's advancements in stable politics. With proper education, elections, and policing the nations can develop more of a middle class society i.e. Thailand. Corruption has been on the downturn in recent years with more transparency on elected officials, leading to less corruption.
ReplyDeleteI acknowledge the region has been changed dramatically due to colonialism but let's face it, we live in a Darwin influenced world, and change was bound to happen. At the time the West was further advanced than China so they beat them to the punch.
We must also consider how the Japanese treated these nations leading up to World War II, compared to the West. The West was a breath of fresh air, assisting in ousting Japanese, and their harsh treatment on most of the region.