Name: Kirsten Rose B.

Concon AB-Political Science

POS 122

SOUTHEAST ASIA

Southeast Asia is a region geographically located south of China, east of India, west of New
Guinea and north of Australia. It consists of 11 countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, The Philippines,
Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Malaysia, Timor-Leste, Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia. A distinctive feature of
the region is its cultural diversity. An estimated hundred languages are found in Southeast Asia. Different
religions were also introduced in the region. Buddhism and Hinduism were considered as the oldest
religions in the region. Islam was introduced by the traders of Arabia and Christianity by the Westerns.
Muslim mosques, Daoist temples, Christian churches and Buddhist temples can be found in this region.
These religions contribute to the differing cultural traditions of Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asia is considered economically important for its contribution to the world’s supply.
Indonesia and Philippines alone make up two thirds of the largest copra producer in the world. The
region has also been the major producer of crops such as coffee, rice, cacao, palm fruit, coconuts, spices
and sugar canes. Southeast Asia also holds large deposits of oil and petroleum. That is why other nations
such as China are very interested in controlling parts of the region including the disputed territory in the
Scarborough Shoal. Another thing is that Southeast Asia is very accessible as it serves as a channel to the
east. However, although the region has a thriving economy, poverty is still quite severe and can be seen
in many parts of Southeast Asia. Majority of the people in the region are poor. The region also suffers
from different environmental problems such as deforestation, pollution and overfishing. In some parts of
the region particularly in south of the Philippines and in Indonesia, fishing bans have already been
imposed. Many environmentalists in the region have been calling out to the people in order to raise the
awareness of the Southeast Asians of what could be the impact of these environmental problems to us
and to the world and what could be done in order to avoid these.
Political system in the region differed in so many ways. Vietnam and Laos are run by a communist
type of leadership while in the Philippines, after 1980s, have gone away with dictatorship and focused
more on democracy. Some are run by military dictatorship such as Myanmar. However, Southeast Asian
nations have been considered as home of the corrupt leaders which is why also the reason of the existing
problem in poverty even with a thriving economy.
Southeast Asia is a very promising region which is why foreigners are interested in investing in
the region. However due to lack of good management and existing problems in environment, poverty
and power, the region is prone to foreign invasions. Even though Singapore is far ahead and considered
as one of the richest countries in the world, it is still not enough to protect the region from possible
attacks. With the prevailing problems in Southeast Asia, the region will always be one step behind.
Despite all of these problems, the people in Southeast Asia remains to be hopeful that someday they will
not be consider as inferior to others.

Questions:
1. Is there such a Southeast Asian identity? Justify.
- The Southeast Asian identity is described as diverse cultures, traditions, religions etc. that
even if the region has gone through a lot of foreign invasions in the past, we still have the
same minds, resources, ideologies, etc. and we are one. We are willing to work hand in hand
Name: Kirsten Rose B. Concon AB-Political Science
POS 122

with each other towards the greater good of everybody. And that Southeast Asia today will
defend its territory, its resources against invasions.

2. What is the importance of Southeast Asia to Asia and the world?

- Southeast Asia also produces world’s supply of crops such as rice, coffee, cacao, palm fruit,
coconuts, spices and sugar cane. The region is also the largest producer of abaca and
rubber. While Philippines and Indonesia alone make up two-thirds of largest copra
producer. Southeast Asia is also one with the largest deposits of oil in the world and some
parts have yet to discover. The region also boasts its tropical forests and marine resources.
Southeast Asia is also a major exporter of precious minerals in the world. Aside from being
economically important, the location of Southeast Asia is globally strategic. It serves as a
channel to the east especially to the vast China market.
3. Why did European countries come to Southeast Asia?
- European countries came to Southeast Asia is primarily to find cheaper raw materials
especially spices because spice trade could make them very wealthy. They also wanted to
search for new materials. Southeast Asia is also a faster and cheaper sea route to the east.
Another reason of European’s arrival in the region is to gain the superpower title. They
wanted to expand their territory and increase their military might.
4. What religions were introduced by traders and colonizers to Southeast Asia? How did religion
contribute to the success/failure of colonialism to Southeast Asia?
- Buddhism and Hinduism were first introduced in Southeast Asia which was influences from
China. Islam was brought to the region by the traders of Arabia. And Christianity particularly
Protestantism and Catholicism was introduced by the Westerns. Religion plays a big role in
the success of colonialism in Southeast Asia. When these religions were introduced in the
region, these became part of their daily lives. The Church and the State has always been
intertwined with each other even though in some parts, the two are considered separate.
But we cannot deny the fact that religion has always been our basis and guide to policy
decision-making.
5. Discuss the “white man’s burden” in the context of colonialism.
- “White man’s burden” is somehow linked to colonialism. It basically means that the whites
or the Westerns which are considered superiors have a duty to influence the inferior
countries with their way of living. They feel that they have the duty of imparting their
culture to the inferior nations particularly the Southeast Asian countries. But instead of
becoming an asset, Southeast Asia has become more of a liability to the Westerns.