Inequality and Exclusion in Southeast Asia: Old Fractures, New Frontiers
Date of publication:
2021
Publisher:
ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
Number of pages:
344
Code:
PIC284
Soft Cover
ISBN: 9789814951203
Reviews
Adam McCarty, Old Fractures New Frontiers, Wiley Online Library, 9 April 2022
"This book is a handy update on the conventional concepts and measures of inequality applied in ASEAN...the book achieves, as the two editors note in their concluding chapter, the 'project's goal of updating the empirical record into the 2010s'."
About the publication
Inequality is a defining global issue of our times. Southeast Asia stands out in some ways; the 2010s have seen most countries in the region reduce income gaps. Nonetheless, inequality levels remain high, especially in the middle-income to high-income countries, and popular disaffection and economic anxiety prevail, even while official statistics may paint more buoyant scenarios. The age-old problem of group-based exclusion in the development process manifests in new ways. This book provides up-to-date overviews of inequality levels and trends, primarily related to income, but also wealth and other socio-economic variables pertaining to education and health. The country chapters also examine salient themes of inequality, especially structural changes and public policies to redress inequality and exclusion, labour market developments, population groups, regional dynamics, and informal economies. We gain an appreciation for the unique conditions and diverse experiences of each country, and draw comparative insights across the region.
“This is an impressive collection of papers written by scholars from Southeast Asia and addressing an important set of issues which deserve serious attention from policymakers. Inequality and social exclusion are problems which never seem to go away, even in the high-income countries, and this collection will be valuable for all those seeking to understand how serious the situation is in eight Southeast Asian states. The editors are to be congratulated on bringing together such a timely book.”
Anne Booth, Emeritus Professor of Economics, School of Oriental and African Studies
“This compilation of recent research on Southeast Asian economic inequalities by Lee and Choong underscores the rapid progress being made. The authors from the region underscore the global shift in research and policy attention in this century. Reflecting data and methodological diversity, the book variedly captures some ‘intersectionality’ of inequalities beyond the old focus on interpersonal and household income distribution.”
Jomo KS, Fellow, Academy of Science, Malaysia
“In societies across the world, rising inequality has become a critical issue over the past generation. Besides basic issues of justice, inequality between people obstructs the collective decision-making needed for societies to progress. This book is the most comprehensive study of inequality in Southeast Asia. It stresses that each society is different, but the solutions are common—good data, proper understanding, multidimensional approaches, strong institutions and popular agency.”
Pasuk Phongpaichit, Emeritus Professor, Chulalongkorn University
Contents
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Inequality and Exclusion in Southeast Asia: Old Fractures, New Frontiers
[Whole Publication, ISBN: 9789814951210], by Lee Hwok-Aun, Christopher Choong, authors -
Preliminary pages
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1. Introduction: Inequality and Exclusion in Southeast Asia, by Lee Hwok-Aun, Christopher Choong, authors
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2. Cambodia's Experiences in Addressing Inequality, by Piseth Keo, Chheang Vannarith, authors
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3. Inequality and Exclusion in Post-Soeharto Indonesia, by Mohammad Zulfan Tadjoeddin, author
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4. Inequality and Exclusion in Malaysia: Macro Trends, Labour Market Dynamics and Gender Dimensions, by Lee Hwok-Aun, Christopher Choong, authors
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5. Inequality in Myanmar: Structural Change, Policy Outcomes and Gender Dimensions, by Zaw Oo, Zaw Oo, Jana Rue Glutting, Aung Htun, S Kanayde, authors
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6. Structural Inequality in the Philippines: Oligarchy, Economic Transformation and Current Challenges to Development, by Philip Arnold P Tuano, Jerik Cruz, authors
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7. Inequality and the Social Compact in Singapore: Macro Trends vs Lived Inequalities, by Nathan Peng, author
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8. Inequality in Thailand: Income, Socio-economic and Wealth Dimensions, by Vimut Vanitcharearnthum, author
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9. Trends and Drivers of Inequality in Vietnam, by Trang Huyen Dang, Cuong Viet Nguyen, Tung Duc Phung, authors
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10. Conclusion: Old Fractures and New Frontiers, by Lee Hwok-Aun, Christopher Choong, authors
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Index
