POL 205Asian PoliticsIntroduction to Asia

Where is Malacca?

Dynamics cities?

Asian change

TABLE 9.3Comparative Per Capita GDP ($US) Figures are World Bank calculations

Nation 1980 2012

Belgium (A) 13,730 44,990

Brazil (E) 2,180 11,630

Canada (A) 11,320 50,970

China (E) 220 5,740

France (A) 12,830 41,750

Germany (A) 12,600 44,010

India (E) 270 1,530

Indonesia (E) 510 3,420

Japan (A) 10,670 47,870

Korea (E) 1,810 22,670

Mexico (E) 2,420 9,740

Turkey (E) 1,860 10,830

UK (A) 8,510 38,250

US (A) 12,950 50,120Source: http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.PCAP.CD

TABLE 5.2Regional Merchandise Trade FlowsRegion % Total Trade with Regional Partners

North America 37.9Europe 70.9Asia 57.8

South and Central America 27.4CIS 27.9Africa 11.5Middle East 20.9Source: WTO, International Trade Statistics, 2010, 10.

A small number of nations dominate global exchange. The top 15 nations (Table 5.3) in global merchandise trade account for 63% of all such trade.

TABLE 5.3Top 15 Nations in Global Trade, 2009 (Billions $ US)Merchandise + Services Trade

Nation Exports (M+S) Imports (M+S)Exports (M+S)/GDP

United States 1530 1936 11%Germany 1353 1191 41China 1331 1164 27Japan 707 699 13France 627 686 23Netherlands 589 530 69United Kingdom 585 643 28Italy 507 528 24Belgium 449 426 73Korea 421 398 50Hong Kong 415 396 195Canada 374 408 29Singapore 357 327 200Russian Federation 344 251 28Mexico 245 263 28Source: WTO, International Trade Statistics, 2010, 180-194. World Bank Data, http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.EXP.GNFS.ZS

What is the story of Malacca?

Why does Malacca matter?

Asian Governance modelRule for the common good and not the good of a certain group

Asian social contract (maybe Asian socio-political arrangement)Virtuous ruler

Predominance of strong states

Bureaucratic polity

Rapid change – modernization, economic growth, social institutions

Asian negatives?

FeudalRigidLack of honestySuperstitiousFatalisticRevolutionary changeDangerous