South East Asia

South East Asia

Is Corruption the Cause? The Poverty Trap

in

The “corruption-causes-poverty” narrative has become a standard tool in the hegemonic discourse kit for leaders in some developing countries - where in fact, Waldon Bello argues, it is neoliberal economic policies that are really to blame for poverty. Thailand’s “Red Shirts” are not, however, being distracted by the “corruption” line the World Bank and IMF are pushing, choosing instead to keep their eyes on the prize - the real answer to poverty - replacing neoliberalism with pro-people economic policies.

Is Congress worth running for?

For the most part, conservative interests still rule the Philippines' Congress, but it is not at all hopeless as a platform for change.

Philippines: Party-list Legislators Often Forgotten in Poll

Subtitle: 
Walden Bello on the Philippines’ electoral politics
Authors
External author(s): 
Lynette Lee Corporal
This was originally published at: 
Inter Press Service

The election of party-list legislators in the Philippines Congress was meant to counter the elitist and often corrupt system of district-level politics.

China’s Neo-colonialism

The new trade pact between China and ASEAN is touted as bringing benefits to both sides, but it is China that stands to gain most from the deal.

Why fighting corruption is not enough

in

Corruption is blamed by most Filipinos for its economic quagmire, but it has been neoliberal policies and clean-cut technocrats who have been most responsible for causing poverty.

China Lassoes its Neighbors

The China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA), went into effect on 1st of January this year. For China, the benefits are clear, but Southeast Asia will be paying a big price for a bad deal.

Alternatives to water privatisation in the Philippines

Non TNI participant(s): 
Victor G. Chiong
Multimedia
See video

The Alliance of Government Workers in the Water Sector (AGWWAS) is leading workers to fight against water privatisation in the Philippines and construct viable alternatives.

The China-Asean Free Trade Area: Propaganda and Reality

Despite the official propaganda, the China-Asean free trade agreement that came into effect on January 1, 2010, will benefit China, but is likely to disadvantage the Asean Countries.

Carbon Trading - How it works and why it fails

This accessible, well-researched book provides a devastating critique of both the theory and practice of carbon trading, which lie at the heart of global climate policy.

Neoliberalism as hegemonic ideology in the Philippines

in

Why does the ideology of neoliberalism still exercise such influence in the Philippines despite the challenges it has faced from both the Asian and now global financial crisis?

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