Hi WSNers,
I note there has been a complete absence of discussion on the meltdown
affecting virtually all of E and SE Asia. We, in this region, are met with a
barrage of instant analyses from economists, market analysts to journalists.
Hard to make sense of it all, especially since not so long ago many of the same
were touting the region. In an anthropological vein, what is happening might be
likened to a 'total event', totally confusing in its multi-strandedness.
Knowing only my little corner of the turf, and with insufficient in-depth
knowledge of the rest of it, I am unable to make much sense of the overall
shape. Hence, I turn to the list for enlightenment.
I recall that many months ago there was considerable discussion of Asia in the
world(-)system, globalization, etc. The recent events would seem to be almost a
test case for any number of approaches -- from the analyses of Emsden on E
Asian economic growth, to the World Bank's 'market-friendly' approach, to the
variants of world system and globalization approaches, to even more classical
marxian approaches to finance capitalism, 'real' and 'unreal' (?) economy, etc.
Would anyone care to offer an analysis of the Asian meltdown in the theoretical
framework(s) in use by WSNers, or whatever? It does seem a shame that what
threatens to be a critical event in the development of the contemporary world
system (used loosely) should pass by without discussion.
Khoo KJ
Malaysia