The Contemporary World Reviewer PDF

**THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD REVIEWER** **by: Mikko Garcia :)** *LESSON 1: THE GLOBALIZATION* **WHAT IS GLOBALIZATION?** \- It is a [process of interaction and integration among the people, companies and governments of different nations ] \- a [process driven by international trade and investments...

**THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD REVIEWER** **by: Mikko Garcia :)** *LESSON 1: THE GLOBALIZATION* **WHAT IS GLOBALIZATION?** \- It is a [process of interaction and integration among the people, companies and governments of different nations ] \- a [process driven by international trade and investments and aided by information technology. ] \- Globalization [can be also be defined as the free movement of goods, services and people across the world in seamless and integrated manner. ] **THE BENEFITS OF GLOBALIZATION:** **-** More international trade - Easy access to foreign culture - More wealth in the world - Increased creativity and innovation - Improve living standards - More goods & services generally available at lower prices **A BRIEF HISTORY OF GLOBALIZATION** **SILK ROADS** \- People have been trading goods for almost as long as they've been around. For the [first time in history, luxury products from China started to appear on the other edge of the Eurasian continent in Rome. Trade had stopped being a local or regional affair and started to become global. ] **SPICE ROUTES** \- The [next chapter in trade happened thanks to Islamic merchants]. As the [new] [religion spread in all directions from its Arabian heartland in the 7th century], so did trade. The [main focus of Islamic trade in those Middle Ages were spices]. Unlike silk, spices were traded mainly by sea since ancient times. But [by the medieval era they had become the true focus of international trade. ] **AGE OF DISCOVERY** \- Truly [global trade kicked off in the Age of Discovery]. It was in this era, f[rom the] [end of the 15th century onwards, that European explorers connected East and West -- and accidentally discovered the Americas]. The most (in)[famous] ["discovery" is that of America by Columbus, which all but ended pre-Colombian civilizations]. But the most c[onsequential exploration ] [was the circumnavigation by Magellan: it opened the door to the Spice islands, cutting out Arab and Italian middlemen.] **SECOND AND THIRD WAVE OF GLOBALIZATION** \- The story of globalization, however, was not over. T[he end of the World War II marked a new beginning for the global economy]. In the [early decades after World War II, institutions like the European Union, and other free trade vehicles championed by the US were responsible for much of the increase in international trade]. In the Soviet Union, there was a similar increase in trade, albeit through centralized planning rather than the free market. Worldwide, [trade once again rose to 1914 levels: in 1989, export once again counted for 14% of global GDP. It was paired with a steep rise in middle-class incomes in the West]. **Globalization 4.0** \- That brings us to today, when a new wave of globalization is once again upon us. In a [world increasingly dominated by two global powers, the US and China, the new frontier of globalization is the cyber world.] The DIGITAL ECONOMY, in its infancy during the third wave of globalization, is now [becoming a force to reckon with through e-commerce, digital services, 3D printing.] At the same time, a negative globalization is expanding too, [through the global effect of climate change. Pollution in one part of the world leads to extreme weather events in another]. **DIMENSION OF GLOBALIZATION** **ECONOMIC DIMENSION** \- This [refers to the extensive development of economic relations across the globe as a result of technology and the enormous flow of capital that has stimulated trade in both sources and goods.] Economic dimension e[ncompasses the global integration of markets, finance, production, labor, and policies, resulting in increased economic interdependence among nations. ] **Major Sources of Economic Growth across Countries :** 1\. Property rights 2\. Regulatory institutions 3\. Institutions for macro-economics 4\. Stabilization 5\. Institutions for social inluence 6\. Institutions for conflict management **POLITICAL DIMENSION** \- This [refers to an enlargement and strengthening of political interrelations across the globe.] The [globalization rendered almost powerless any political efforts to Introduce restrictive policies affecting individual states, with the results that the world in many ways turned into a borderless world]. [Governments often seek to restrict the migration of peoples, especially those coming from the poor countries in the global South. ] **Political Issues that Surface in this Dimension :** 1\. The principle of state sovereignty 2\. Increasing impact of various intergovernmental organization 3\. Future shapes of regional and global governance **CULTURAL DIMENSION** \- This [refers to the increase in the amount of cultural flows across the globe. Cultural interconnections are at the foundations of contemporary globalization. Cultural diversity often results hybridization- a constructive interaction process between global and local characteristics which is often visible in food, music, dance, film, fashion, and language]. As a result there is a [scarcely any society in the world that expresses itself in its own self-contained and authentic culture]. \- Media empires generated and directed the extensive flow of culture. Examples of these are Yahoo, Google, Microsoft, and Disney. Advertisement plays an important role in this cultural flow by featuring various celebrities in the television aside from transforming newscast into entertainment shows **RELIGIOUS DIMENSION** \- [Religion is a personal or institutionalized set of attitudes, beliefs, and practices relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity]. It is [the most important defining element of any civilization as contrasted with race, language, or way of life.] Roman Catholic Teaching of Globalization There are eight (8) principles that summarize the Roman Catholic Teachings: 1\. Commitment to universal human rights 2\. Commitment to the social nature of the human person 3\. Commitment to the common 4\. Solidarity 5\. Preferential option of the poor 6\. Subsidiary 7.Justice 8\. Integral Humanism *Justice is divided in three (3) categories:* 1\. *Commutative justice* 2\. *Distributive justice* 3\. *Social justice* **IDEOLOGICAL DIMENSION** \- [Ideology is a system of widely shared ideas, beliefs, norms and values among a group of people]. It is often [used to legitimize certain political interests or to defend dominant power structures]. [Ideology connects human actions with some generalized claims.] \- Globalization is a [social process of intensifying global interdependence while globalism is an ideology that gives the concept of neo-liberal values and meanings to globalization]. **Major Ideological Claims of Advocates of Globalism** 1\. Globalization is about the liberalization and global integration of markets. 2\. Globalization is inevitable and irreversible 3\. Nobody is in charge of globalization 4\. Globalization benefits everyone 5\. Globalization furthers the spread of democracy in the world *LESSON 2: THE STRUCTURES OF GLOBALIZATION* **TOPIC 1: GLOBAL ECONOMY** **THE GLOBAL ECONOMY** \- Economic globalization [is the term used to describe the growing interdependence of the world\'s economy as a result of increased cross border trade and capital movements]. [It reflects the world\'s continued development and mutual integration of market frontiers, and it is an irreversible trend in global economic development at the millennium\'s turn. ] \- Economic globalization [refers to the increasing integration of economies around the world, particularly through the movement of goods, services, and capital across borders.] It [also refers to people (labor) and knowledge (technology) across international borders]. **TWO MAJOR DRIVING FORCES FOR ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION :** 1\. The [rapid growing of information in all types of productive activities] 2. Marketization a [restructuring process that enables state enterprises to operate as market-oriented firms by changing the legal environment in which they operate and can be achieved through reduction of state subsidies, organizational restructuring of management such as corporatization, decentralization, and privatization]. [Rapid development of science and technologies served as basis for immediate globalization of the world economies which in turn provided an environment where there is a swift spreading of market economic system all over the world.] It is also developed based on the increasing cross-border division of labor which penetrates within the enterprises of different countries on the level of production chains. **DIMENSION OF ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION:** -The globalization of trade of -The globalization financials and Good services of financial and capital markets - The globalization of technology and -The globalization of production communication **DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION FROM INTERNATIONALIZATION** **Economic Globalization** \- is a functional integration between internationally dispersed activities which means that it is a qualitative transformation rather than a quantitative change **Internationalization** \- is an extension of economic activities between internationally dispersed Activities **GLOBALIZATION (16TH CENTURY)** \- In [the 16th century world system analysts identify the origin of modernity and globalization through long distance trade in the 16th century]. This [best known] [example of archaic globalization is the Silk Road, which started in western China, reached the boundaries of the Parthian empire, and continued onwards towards Rome. It also connected Asia, Africa, and Europe.] **ORIGIN OF ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION (17TH & 18TH CENTURY)** -In [the 17th and 18th century global economy exists only in trade and exchange rather than production as the world export to World GDP did not reached 1 to 2 percent.] **ORIGIN OF ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION (19TH CENTURY)** \- In [the 19th century the advent of globalization approaching its modern form is witnessed]. A [short period before World War I is referred to as golden age of globalization characterized by relative peace, free trade, financial and economic stability]. [Growth in international exchange of goods accelerated in the second quarter of the 19th century. ] **INTERNATIONAL MONETARY SYSTEMS AND GOLD STANDARD** - [International monetary system (IMS) refers to a system that forms rules and standards for facilitating international trade among the nations]. [It helps in reallocating the capital and investment from one nation to another. It is the global network of the government and financial institutions that determine the exchange rate of different currencies for international trade]. **INTERNATIONAL TRADE** \- [It is the exchange of goods, services and capital across national borders.] It is a [multi-million dollar activity, central to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of many countries, and it is the only way for many people in many countries to acquire resource]s. This type of trade [allows for a greater competition and more competitive pricing in the market. ] **TWO KEY CONCEPTS IN ECONOMICS OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE** - **COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE** [comes in so long as the two countries have different relative efficiencies, the two countries can benefit from trade] , the country with absolute a[dvantage will still benefit by directing its resources to those goods where it is most productive and trading for the others ] \- **SPECIALIZATION** refers to this process; [countries as well as individual businesses can maximize their welfare by specializing in the production of those goods where they are most efficient and enjoy the largest advantages over rivals ] **TRADE POLICIES** **-** [Refer to the regulations and agreement of foreign countries]. It [defines standards, goals, rules, and regulations that pertain to trade relation between countries.] **FOCUSES OF TRADE POLICY IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE** **Tariffs** \- These [are taxes or duties paid for a particular class of imports or exports]. [Imposing taxes on imported and exported goods is a right of every country.] **TRADE BARRIERS** \- These are [measures that governments or public authorities introduce to make imported goods or services less competitive than locally produced goods and services.] **SAFETY** \- This [ensures that imported products in the country are of high quality. Inspection regulations laid down by public officials ensure the safety and quality standards of] [imported products]. **TYPES OF TRADE POLICY** **International Trade Policy** \- This [defines the international trade policy under their charter like the International ] **National Trade Policy** \- This [safeguards the best interest of its trade and citize]n **Bilateral Trade Policy** \- To [regulate the trade and business relations between two nations, this policy is formed ] **WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)** \- The World Trade Organization (WTO) [deals with the global rules of trade between nations with the main function of ensuring that trade flows smoothly, predictably and freely ] **GLOBAL ECONOMY OUTSOURCING** \- Outsourcing [is an activity that requires search for a partner and relation-specific] [investments that are governed by incomplete contracts and the extent of international outsourcing depends on the thickness of the domestic and foreign market for input suppliers, the relative cost of searching in each market, the relative cost of customizing inputs and the nature of the contracting environment ] **SUBCONTRACTING** **-** It is a [central element of the new economy]. It is [the practice of assigning part of the obligations and tasks under a contract to another party known as a subcontractor and especially prevalent in areas where complex projects are the norm like construction and information technology. ] **BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP** \- It [is governed by a contract], [but even in those cases the legal document does not ensure that the partners will conduct the promised activities with the same care that] [the firm would use itself if it were to perform the tasks]. **TOPIC 2: MARKET INTEGRATION** **WHAT IS MARKET INTEGRATION?** \- Market integration [refers to how easily two or more markets can trade with each other]. It may also [refer to the movement of prices of related goods and services sold in a defined geographical location in similar patterns]. **TYPES OF RELATED MARKETSWHERE MARKET INTEGRATION OCCURS** **Stock Market Integration** \- This is a [condition in which stock markets in different countries trend together and depict same expected risk adjusted returns. ] **Financial Market Integration** \- It is an [open market economy between countries facilitated by a common currency and the elimination of technical, regulatory and tax differences to encourage free flow of capital and ] [investment across borders ] **GLOBAL CORPORATION** \- is [a business that operates in two or more countries. Italso goes by the name \"multinational company\".] [Success in different types of economies is achieved by means of multiple countries operation while it causes also logistic and cultural challenges]. [Access to more customers and capital is obtained through a model that works domestically well and translates foreign.] **FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT** \- It is a [major driver of extended global corporate ] [development]. [Foreign direct investment is made open to economies frequently involves more than just a capital investment and includes provision of management or technology as well. ] **BRICS ECONOMIES** \- [is an acronym for the combined economies of Brazil, Russia, ] [India, China and South Africa. ] \- These [five countries were among the fastest growing emerging markets as of 2011. Due to lower labor and production costs in these countries now including a fifth nation, South Africa, many companies have also cited BRIC as a source of foreign expansion opportunity i.e. promising economies in which to invest]. **GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES (GATS)** \- The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) [is the first multilateral agreement covering trade in services which was negotiated during the last round of multilateral trade negotiations, called the Uruguay Round, and came into force in 1995] **TOPIC 3: THE GLOBAL INTERSTATE SYSTEM** **THE GLOBAL INTERSTATE SYSTEM** \- It is [the system of human interaction which it is focused on the modern world] [system where the competing and allying nations are structured politically. ] **THE STATE AND THE ECONOMIC INTERDEPENDENCE** \- The [belief that globalization imposes a forced choice upon states either to conform to free market principles or run the risk of being left behind is termed into a] [phrase called "**GOLDEN STRAITJACKET**" by Thomas Friedman, a neoliberalism] j[ournalist and advocate, to illustrate the forcing of states into policies that suit the preferences of investment houses and corporate executives (Electronic Herd) who swiftly move money and resources into countries favored as adaptable to the demands of international business and withdraw even more rapidly from countries deemed uncompetitive.] **NEOLIBERALISM AND ECONOMIC SOVEREIGNTY** **Neoliberalism** \- It is [the intensification of the influence and dominance of capita]l. [It is the elevation of capitalism as a mode of production into an ethic, a set of political imperatives, and a cultural logic]. It is a [project to strengthen, restore, or, in some cases, constitute a new the power of economic elites]. **Economic Sovereignty** \- It [is the power or national governments to make decisions independently of those made by other governments]. In a [globalized world economy, governments have no alternative but to adopt neoliberal economic policies of privatization, deregulations, and reductions in public expenditures**.**] **ECONOMIC INTEGRATION** \- It is a [process and a means by which a group of countries strives to increase their levels of welfare It is an arrangement between different regions that often includes the reduction or elimination of trade barriers, and the coordination of monetary and fiscal policies] **SEVEN STAGES OF ECONOMIC INTEGRATION** **1. Preferential trading area (PTA)** [- Happens when there is an agreement on reducing or eliminating tariff barriers on selected goods imported from other members of the countries within the geographical region or areas. ] 2\. **Free trade area** \- [Eliminate import tariffs as well as import quotas between signatory countries.] These agreements can be limited to a few sectors or can encompass all aspects of international trade. **3. Customs union** \- [Removal of tariff barriers between members, together with the acceptance of a common or unified external tariff against non-members]. [Single payment or duty is made by countries exporting to customs union]. [Goods inside the union can move freely with no additional tariffs ] **3. Common market** \- [Removal of tariff barriers between members, together with the acceptance of acommon or unified extrnal ariff against non- members is involved here]. [All barriers] [are eliminated to allow the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor**.**] **4. Economic union** \- An a[greement between two or more nations to allow goods, services, money and workers to move over borders freely. ] **6. Economic and monetary union** \- [Involves a single economic market, a common trade policy, a single currency and a] [common monetary policy. ] **7. Complete Economic Integration** \- [Involved in complete economic integration are single economic market, a common trade policy, a single currency, a common monetary policy, together with] [a single fiscal policy, including common tax and benefit rates or the complete harmonization of all policies, rates, and economic trade rules]. **TRANSNATIONAL ACTIVISM** **-** [It is a social movements and other society organizations and individuals operating across state borders]. It also [refers to the the coordinated international campaigns on] [the part of networks of activists against international actors, other states, or international institutions ] **SOCIAL MOVEMENT** A social movement is a type of group action. It refers to the organizational structures and strategies that may empower oppressed populations to mount effective challenges and resist the more powerful and advantaged elites\". They are large, sometimes informal, groupings of individuals or organizations which focus on specific political or social issues. They carry out, resist, or undo a social change and provide a way of social change from the bottom within nations **GLOBAL JUSTICE MOVEMENT** \- [It describes the loose collection of individuals and groups often referred to as a "MOVEMENT OF MOVEMENTS"] , who [advocate fair trade rules and are negative to current institutions of global economics such as the World Trade Organization. ] \- It is a [social and political movement that advocates for fairer global economic and social systems.] **SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE STATE** \- It is a [computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas and information and the building of virtual networks and communities.] - BY DESIGN, s[ocial media is internet based and offers users easy electronic communication of personal information and other content, such as videos and photos.] \- In LARGE ORGANIZATIONS, [social media are often supported because the technology can help foster the sense of a "DIGITAL VILLAGE" where individuals are able to "see" the lives of others within their organization] and feel closer to them. Social media are used [commercially as a key mode for product exposure and messaging] **TOPIC 4: CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL GOVERNANCE** **GLOBAL GOVERNANCE OR WORLD GOVERNANCE** \- It is [the sum of laws, norms, policies and institutions that define, constitute and mediate trans-border relations between states, cultures, citizens, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and market. ] \- There is NO CENTRAL AUTHORITY. **THE ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE UNITED NATIONS** \- The UNITED NATION is [tasked to promote international co-operation and to create and maintain international order]. It is [the largest, most familiar, most internationally represented and most powerful intergovernmental organization in the world. ] \- The UNITED NATIONS (UN) in [the world of politics has the roles of preventing and managing conflicts, regulating armaments, championing human rights and international humanitarian law, providing economic and technical aid in newly liberated countries, etc]. **FOUR MAIN PURPOSES OF THE UN CHARTER** 1\. Maintaining worldwide peace and security 2\. Developing relations among nations 3\. Fostering cooperation between nations in order to solve economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian international problems 4\. Providing a forum for bringing countries together to meet the UN\'s purposes and goals **BASIC ELEMENTS OF STATE** \- Population - Government \- Territory - Sovereignty **GLOBALIZATION'S IMPACT ON THE STATE:** **Factors which lead to the increase and acceleration of movement of people, information, commodities and capital.** 1\. Lifting of trade barriers 2\. Liberalization of world capital markets 3\. Swift technological progress (information technology, transportation and communication **Problems afflicting the world today which are increasingly transnational in nature, those that cannot be solved at the national level or State to State negotiations.** 1\. Poverty 2\. Environmental pollution 3\. Economic crisis 4\. Organized crime and terrorism **Problems afflicting the world today which are increasingly transnational in nature, those that cannot be solved at the national level or State to State negotiations.** 1\. Poverty 2\. Environmental pollution 3\. Economic crisis 4\. Organized crime and terrorism LESSON 3: THE WORLD OF REGIONS ***Global South*** \- [refers to the regions of Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania mostly low- income and often politically or culturally marginalized.] - It may also be called the \"DEVELOPING WORLD" **Three Primary Concepts of Global South** 1\. It r[efers to economically disadvantaged nation-states and as a post-cold war] [alternative] to "THIRD WORLD". 2\. The [Global South captures a deterritorialized geography of capitalism's externalities and means to account for subjugated peoples within the borders of wealthier countries, such that there are economic Souths in the geographic North and Norths in the geographic South]. 3\. It [refers to the resistant imaginary of a transnational political subject that results from a shared experience of subjugation under contemporary global capitalism. ] **New Internationalism in the Global South** \- [The ills of the global south are being globalized. Underdeveloped states of the global south are ravaged by merciless IMF policies in the 1980's]. The [economic] [prescriptions of the IMF as cures are recommended for countries in the global south]. Other countries like Greece realize the similarity of problems in the global south that inspirations were drawn from poorer nations. \- A [similar globalization of the south's concern is arising from the issue about global environment.] Amidst [the existential threat of climate change the most radical notions of climate justice are being articulated in the global south]. \- [As a symbol and metaphor], [global south is not only relevant for those who live in] [countries traditionally associated with it. ] **Asian Regionalism** **Regionalism** \- [refers to the decentralization of political powers or competencies from a higher towards a lower political level]. \- Globalization is [the intensification of economic, political, social, and cultural relations across borders and a consciousness of that intensification] **Views of Globalization in the Asia Pacific and South Asia** \- From this perspective, [globalization can be understood as a process that transforms the Asia Pacific and South Asia. ] \- The Asia Pacific and South Asia [refer together to the regions of East (or Northeast) Asia, South Asia, the Pacific Islands]. \- The Asia and South Pacific has [emerged over the past decade as a new political force in the world.] \- A [foreign policy shift] called "PACIFIC PIVOt" was [implemented by the United States] [to commit more resources and attention to the region. ] \- [US Secretary of States] HILARY CLINTON. He [stated that the Asia Pacific has become a key driver of global politics. ] \- Globalization in the Asia Pacific and South Asia is [an external phenomenon being pushed into the region by world powers like US and Europe.] - Globalization in this c[ontext is a process that transforms the Asia Pacific and South] [Asia.] **Asia Pacific and South Asia's Impact on Globalization** **-** Asia was t[he central global force in the early modern world economy.] It was t[he site of the most important trade routes and in some places more advanced] [in technology than West such as science and medicine]. \- [Colonies in the Asia pacific and South Asia influenced the West and vice versa.] \- LABORATORIES OF MODERNITY 1\. JAPAN embarked on p[rocuring raw materials like coal and iron at unprecedented economies of scale allowing them to gain a competitive edge in the global manufacturing market as well as globalized shipping and procurement patterns which other countries modeled] 2\. CHINA pursues similar pattern of d[evelopment at present and is now the world's largest importers of basic raw materials such as iron and surpassed Japan, the US and Europe in steel production. It also surpassed the World bank in lending to developing countries. It had an enormous impact on the availability and consumption of goods around the world. This simple scale of China's development is shaping and furthering globalization. ] 3\. INDIA [opened -up and emphasized an export-oriented strategy. Textiles and other low wage sectors have been a key part of the economy with highly successful software development exports. It also plays a key role in global service provisions as trends in outsourcing and off- shoring increase.] 4\. INDIA AND CHINA have also [become a major source of international migrant labor,] [which is also one of the fundamental characteristics of the era of globalization. This includes the migration of highly skilled labor into the high- tech industry based in Silicon Valley. India, China and the Philippines were three of the top four recipient states of migrant remittances. ] 5\. The trend of the rising regional free arrangements in the ASIA PACIFIC AND SOUTH ASIA. This kind of r[egionalism would mean as bulwark to globalization or as compatible and even pushing forward the process of global economic integration. Regionalism can promote learning, assuage domestic audiences to the benefits of ] [free trade, and form the institutional framework to scale up from regional cooperation o global cooperation. Regionalism can act as springboard for globalization. One distinguishing feature of regional institutions in Asia Pacific and South Asia is the adoption of] "OPEN REGIONALISM" which [aims to develop and maintain cooperation with outside actors. This is meant to resolve the tension between the rise of regional trade agreements and the push for global trade as embodied by World Trade Organization (WTO)], the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. "OPEN" [refers to the principle of non-discrimination, more specifically an openness in membership and openness in terms of economic flows. Open regionalism is embodied by Asia Pacific Economic cooperation or APEC]. 6\. In culture and globalization in the region, [the source of a wide variety of cultural phenomena that have spread outward to the West and the rest of the world is the region.] Examples include "hello Kitty" created in Japan including Anime, Pokemon, Power Rangers which become regional and global phenomenon; the regional and global rise of Korean popular culture called 'K-Wave" comprising of Korean dramas, music (K-pop) and the smash hit "Gangnam Style" of Korean pop star PSY. Asia Pacific and South Asia are on the receiving end of globalization. The region serves as the source of many aspects of globalization process which can be seen in history, economy, political structure and culture. **The Region-Making in Southeast Asia and Middle-Class Formation** **The Third Wave** \- REGIONALIZATION [entails complex and dynamic interactions between and among governmental and nongovernmental actors which resulted to hybrid East Asia. The main engines of hybridization are explained by the successive waves of regional economic development that is powered by developmental states and national and transnational capitalism ] \- The [product of regional economic development in the post war era are the middle classes in east Asia.] \- The [national states in the region promoted it actively under democratic or authoritarian developmentalist regimes, both of which espoused the politics of productivity, a politics of that transformed political issues into problems of output and sought to neutralize class conflict in favor of a consensus on economic growth.] - The FIRST WAVE of [regional economic development took place in japan from mid 1950's to the early 1970s ] \- The SECOND WAVE [took place between the 1960s and 1980s in South Korea, Taiwan, Hongkong and Singapore] **Two salient points in the history of east Asian middle-class formation.** 1\. [Middle class formation in Southeast Asia was driven by global and regional transnational capitalism working in alliance with national states while middle class in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan were created by developmental states and national capitalism. ] 2\. [New urban middle classes in East Asia, whether in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, or Southeast Asia, with their middle-class jobs, education, and income, have in turn created their own new lifestyles commensurate with their middle-class income and status. ] **Middle Classes in The Philippines** **-** [New urban middle classes emerged in the post 1986 Philippines.] **-** [Fostered by government policies of liberalization and deregulation, the development of these new enterprises has been oriented both toward the export and domestic markets and has entailed increasingly diverse sources of foreign] \- [investment and variable subcontracting, franchise, and service relationships, with a noticeable expansion of ties connecting ] **Regional Implications of Middle -Class Formation in East Asia** \- [Complex historical forces shaped new urban middle classes. ] \- They are [product of regional economic development, which has taken place in waves under the U.S. ] \- INFORMAL EMPIRE OVER A HALF CENTURY \- Their [lifestyles have been shaped in very complex ways by their appropriation of things American, Japanese, Chinese, South Korean, Islamic and other ways of life, often mediated by the market. ] \- The [political consequences of the rise of East Asia middle classes vary.] - The [cultural and political hegemony of the South Korean middle classes is embodied by single generation, while that of the Taiwanese middle classes]