240122 SE VM6 / VM3 - Uneven Development in Southeast Asia (2020W)

The seminar addresses various dimensions of uneven development in Southeast Asia, a region which has been regarded a success story in terms of economic development over the past decades. A number of countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam have transformed themselves from low income countries into middle income countries. Yet this development has come at a high price and has been highly uneven. Not only have some regions been left behind in the process of ‘catching up’ with the global north, but also several societal sectors and groups have been marginalized or excluded from the increased prosperity. In many countries an oligarchic class controls the political institutions and undermines democratic reforms. Thus the economic liberalization did not result in a democratic transition as previously expected. At the same time the environmental costs have been dramatic and again unevenly distributed. Reflecting the diversity of possible disciplinary perspectives on the multi-dimensional process of unequal development in the Southeast Asia region the following topics will be covered in class (the number of topics will vary depending on the number of students):
• “Transnational migration”: How transnational migration is intertwined with unequal regional development.
• “The urban-rural nexus”: How economic centers and their 'hinterland' are intertwined in a complex-unequal relationship.
• “The neoliberal family”: Gender dimensions of unequal development, labour division and the sociological impact.
• Dispossession and the production of poverty”: How the production of poverty is related to dispossession and displacement, in particular regarding land.
• “Environmental (transborder) justice” impacts”: How the staggering economic development in some regions produce unequal distribution of environmental costs.
• “Food security and agrarian change”: How changes in agricultural production impact on provision of food and consumption.
• “Political economy & democratization”: Not only economic growth has been unequal in the region, also political systems and the development of democratic institutions are diverse among ASEAN countries

The seminar will provide an opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with multiple (disciplinary) perspectives on unequal development in the Southeast Asia region. They will gain insights into central social scientific concepts and debates through up to date research and practice to critically reflect and discuss them in class and in writing. Students will independently research a seminar topic, review relevant literature and practice scientific reading and writing.

Following introductory sessions setting the frame of the seminar, students can choose one topic from the suggested topics above. Yet they are also free to choose their own topic as long as it is related to the overall theme of the seminar.