'There is much to commend in this collection of papers to those interested in both globalization per se as well as those interested in economic and social development in South-east Asia.' - David N. Ashton, Asia Pacific Business Review The impact of globalisation on social development is a critical issue for both developed and developing countries. In Globalisation and Social Development, leading experts investigate this from the perspective of European, and more specifically, Southeast Asian economies including Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.

With over 7,000 islands, the Philippines is the world’s largest group of islands. For hundreds of years, the beautiful Southeast Asian archipelago was fairly isolated from its neighbouring as well as western countries. Only since 2000, the Philippines began to open its business markets to foreign investors. In his book, Timo Priester scrutinizes the Philippine retail structure. He offers interesting insights about the organization of Manila’s (the country’s dominant capital) retail trade. The principal focus is on three different business markets: The Mobile, the Home Appliances and the Audio Visual Market.

Offering a fresh, transparent approach encompassing new material, this invigorating volume measures political risk - for instance the risk that foreign investment might face in any country. It also demonstrates how progress or regress made in good governance initiatives as conditionalities to aid can be assessed. Governments can monitor their own policy environment(s), and take remedial action if necessary. The methodology allows for measurement of previously un-quantified 'soft' factors that add to the risks foreign investors might face, demonstrating why these factors are of importance to both risk assertive and risk averse investors. Features include: - 103 contextualized, measurable risk factors and their 411 risk factor indicators. - Guidelines to using these factors in order to perform generic macro analyses, or micro, client/project/industry-specific analyses. - Explanation of the methodology with which to comprehensively measure the probability of risk occurring in any macro or micro investment climate.

UPDATED For more than 50 years, Burma has been ruled by a succession of military regimes which rank among the most oppressive dictatorships in the world. Accused of crimes against humanity, they have brutally mistreated their people. Yet, in the last few years, the pace of change has been breathtaking. Much is now hoped for. However, Burma is one of the most ethnically diverse nations in Southeast Asia: there are roughly seven major ethnic groups living along its borders. They have a long history of conflict with the government and have been cruelly treated by the current regime. Their future affects the country as a whole, as Benedict Rogers explains. Drawing heavily on his many fact-finding visits both inside Burma and along its frontiers, he gives a unique appraisal of the current ethnic situation and its implications for the nation as a whole. Wide-ranging, expertly researched, and full of brand new accounts of the courage and determination of the Burmese people, Burma: A Nation at the Crossroads explains the country's conflicted history, as well as its contemporary struggle for justice. Burma stands poised for freedom, or for further repression. No one can be sure. This fascinating and accessible book describes what is really happening inside this beautiful, secretive, and potentially prosperous country.

This updated and revised edition provides an examination of issues of paramount importance for Southeast Asian economies, such as the economic implications of the 1997 Asian crisis for both older and newer members of ASEAN.

Chinese companies have managed to perform well in Malaysia, especially after the recession in the mid-1980s, due to a clear change in the Malay dominated government's attitude to Chinese capital. Despite the problems that prevail among UMNO politicians, the government has provided a stable economic environment and offers opportunities for domestic private investment, even for the Chinese. Given these circumstances, it does appear that Chinese capital in Malaysia has reasonable prospects for further growth in the immediate future. This study examines the dominant role of Chinese capital in the economy, providing in-depth empirical research on its mode of development and styles of operation. Covering the period from colonial times to the present day this study identifies key issues pertaining to Chinese business operations in Malaysia: ownership and control patterns, style of growth, relations with the state, politicians and other Chinese businessmen, and the manner of development of business abroad, whilst debunking the theory that large-scale Chinese capital is not very entrepreneurial in nature.