121-235 The Emergence of East Asia

Note

Available in odd-numbered years.

Availability

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Completion of 25 points of first year Geography or Economics or Asian Studies or Sociology.

Contact

Subject Description

This subject is about the geography of East Asia. It introduces physical landscape, resources, present livelihood, and the reasons for the dynamism of the economies in East Asian countries, including Japan, "Red Capitalist" China, and the "Newly Industrialised Economies" of Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong. Issues discussed include growth and structural change; the role of the government as engines of development: authoritarian developmentalism: S Korea's large business group "CHAEBOL", Taiwan's small businesses, and Hong Kong's small businesses and non-interventionism; population growth and urbanisation; food production and the transformation from agrarian economies to industrial and technology-based economies; income distribution and social issues; and regional trade pattern and resources for development. This course also covers regional economic integration; Japan's role in Asia: Japanese foreign investment, sogo shosha and networks; export-led industrialisation, and product cycle; the China factor, "Open Door Policy" and post-Deng China; western influence and Asian values; relationships with the world economy.

Assessment

An examination of up to 2 hours; an essay paper of up to 3000 words. Proportions to be advised.