Table of Contents(28k)
Preface(24k)
Chapter 1: The Land and Its History
Introduction(38k)
Geographical Attributes (38k)
A Common Past - Colonisation and Its Legacy (36k)
The Formation and Evolution of ASEAN (36k)
Future Challenges (71k)

Southeast Asia is going through tremendous changes economically. The market-oriented economies of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand have been showing robust growth since the 1960s. The transitional economies of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam are exhibiting signs of economic awakening and revival after years of internal political and social turmoil. Despite these encouraging signs, the region still has a long road ahead in its efforts to achieve developed nation status.

This book is a serious and concise study of various important economic aspects of Southeast Asia. The existing economic studies of the region are mainly topical in nature. Most books attempt to offer only a partial treatment of the issues and fail to examine these issues in a holistic manner. The objective of this book is to provide a more complete cross-country discussion on the economic issues and problems facing Southeast Asia. Besides critically examining the multiple facets of changes and problems that have been and will be encountered by Southeast Asia, the book presents a lucid exposition of the prospects of the region. However, it does not stop there but moves on to provide pointers and suggestions on how Southeast Asian countries should proceed with their development options and processes. The book should be of interest to economists and graduate students researching on Southeast Asia. It will also be extremely useful to those who want to have a better understanding of the Southeast Asian region.

Contents:

• The Land and Its History
• Economic Diversity
• Agriculture: Rice
• Agriculture: Rubber, Oil Palm and Other Crops
• Agriculture: Prospects and Policy Options
• Industrialisation: Comparative Strategy
• Economic Inter-Dependence: External Trade
• Economic Regionalism
• Fiscal Policy
• Financial Policy
• Population Explosion and Characteristics
• The Asian Financial Crisis
• The Trinity Development Theory and Southeast Asian Development

“This is an important and up-to-date (including a chapter on the Asian financial crisis and recovery) book by a most pre-eminent economist, who does not only have a distinguished academic career but also actual policy involvement at a high level. The book mixes accurate description with interesting theoretical analysis (notably the author's theories of EGOIN, Triple C, and the S Curve) and sensible policy recommendations.”

“This is an important study of the economies of South-East Asia. Professor Lim draws upon many years of research and experience to make comparisons between countries and to track changes over time. His title reflects his optimism but also his caution. Much has been done. Much remains to be done. There is a long road ahead before the countries of South-East Asia can look back on their achievements and say that they are fully developed at last.”

“This book provides a comprehensive analysis of Southeast Asia's economic progress and prospects. Written by one of the region's most distinguished development economists, the book will be welcomed by graduate students and researchers and by policy-makers in the region, all of whom will learn much from this authoritative and insightful volume.”

“There are very few economists in Southeast Asia today who can write authoritatively about Southeast Asian economies, and Professor Lim is prominently one among these few. The book leads the readers through more than 40 years of postwar development to the present day where many of these Southeast Asian nations are recovering from the recent devastating economic crisis. Professor Lim’s insights into the economic history and development of countries in Southeast Asia make the readers feel comfortable to go through the book quickly. After finishing it, most of us should feel confident that Southeast Asia is still a unique region, and despite the current economic crisis, there is still great economic future for Southeast Asians.”

“Southeast Asia has gone a long way to what it has become today. It has yet to travel another long road ahead to becoming an economically developed region. The author has successfully described the region's milestones and obstacles, both in looking back and in looking into the future. It also offers a useful theoretical construct to prescribe and predict Southeast Asia's development process. The book is to date the most comprehensive treatment of Southeast Asia as an economic region. It is even more valuable as it is written by an insider to the region and its development problems. This is the textbook the region has been waiting for. In fact, it is a book for every interested person to read.”

“… it is very well written and thoroughly researched. The volume clearly achieves the author’s stated intention of providing a useful book to both graduate and undergraduate students whose academic foci is on Southeast Asia, and to policy-makers and others who are interested in policy options in the ten ASEAN countries … this reviewer recommends the book enthusiastically and without reservation.”

“It is certainly refreshing to read this informative and interesting book on Southeast Asia written by an ‘insider’ looking at his own region … In sum, the book serves its purpose well as an undergraduate textbook for courses on Southeast Asia and as general reading for policymakers outside the region.”