Abstract:This paper provides an overview of Singapore's inequality since 2000. Upon examining empirical indicators reflecting different aspects of inequality, there seems to be a divergence between largely stable macro-level trends and "felt" inequality experienced by citizens. While the empirical record reflects fairly stable income, wealth, consumption and intergenerational inequality, other data show how educational performance and sense of belonging are continuously tied to socio-economic position. Juxtaposing these insights against a qualitative analysis of Singapore's meritocracy, the social and political ferment on the issue of inequality in 2018—with heightened discourses among both elites and the public—makes sense against a backdrop of lived realities having become increasingly devolved from promises of equal opportunities. Typifying Singapore as a "pragmatic meritocracy" where systemic inequalities are recognized and addressed, the paper reviews policy responses to the rising discontent, and elaborates on the seeming disconnect between government narratives and generally incrementalistic solutions.
{"title":"Inequality and the Social Compact in Singapore: Macro Trends versus Lived Realities","authors":"Nathan Peng","doi":"10.1355/ae36-3e","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1355/ae36-3e","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:This paper provides an overview of Singapore's inequality since 2000. Upon examining empirical indicators reflecting different aspects of inequality, there seems to be a divergence between largely stable macro-level trends and \"felt\" inequality experienced by citizens. While the empirical record reflects fairly stable income, wealth, consumption and intergenerational inequality, other data show how educational performance and sense of belonging are continuously tied to socio-economic position. Juxtaposing these insights against a qualitative analysis of Singapore's meritocracy, the social and political ferment on the issue of inequality in 2018—with heightened discourses among both elites and the public—makes sense against a backdrop of lived realities having become increasingly devolved from promises of equal opportunities. Typifying Singapore as a \"pragmatic meritocracy\" where systemic inequalities are recognized and addressed, the paper reviews policy responses to the rising discontent, and elaborates on the seeming disconnect between government narratives and generally incrementalistic solutions.","PeriodicalId":43712,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Southeast Asian Economies","volume":"36 1","pages":"355 - 379"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45502300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract:This paper reviews the long-term trend of economic inequality and exclusion in Indonesia since the country embarked on its democratic transition in the late 1990s. While economic inequality was largely stable and relatively low during the high-growth New Order phase that lasted from the 1970s until the 1990s, it sharply increased during the first decade of the new millennium, reaching a record high in 2011 when the expenditure Gini coefficient touched 0.41. The Gini has started to decline since 2015, albeit slowly. Using earnings data from the labour force survey, six sources of exclusion are identified, including: belonging to the lower income group; low educational attainment; residing in a rural area; working in the informal sector; being female; and having a disability. In general, there has been no meaningful trend of inclusion for the identified groups relative to the reference groups. While Indonesia has placed more serious attention on tackling rising inequality, particularly by expanding infrastructure, connectivity and social assistance, policymakers need to start efficiently targeting those categorized as disadvantaged groups.
{"title":"Inequality and Exclusion in Indonesia: Political Economic Developments in the Post-Soeharto Era","authors":"Mohammad Zulfan Tadjoeddin","doi":"10.1355/ae36-3b","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1355/ae36-3b","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:This paper reviews the long-term trend of economic inequality and exclusion in Indonesia since the country embarked on its democratic transition in the late 1990s. While economic inequality was largely stable and relatively low during the high-growth New Order phase that lasted from the 1970s until the 1990s, it sharply increased during the first decade of the new millennium, reaching a record high in 2011 when the expenditure Gini coefficient touched 0.41. The Gini has started to decline since 2015, albeit slowly. Using earnings data from the labour force survey, six sources of exclusion are identified, including: belonging to the lower income group; low educational attainment; residing in a rural area; working in the informal sector; being female; and having a disability. In general, there has been no meaningful trend of inclusion for the identified groups relative to the reference groups. While Indonesia has placed more serious attention on tackling rising inequality, particularly by expanding infrastructure, connectivity and social assistance, policymakers need to start efficiently targeting those categorized as disadvantaged groups.","PeriodicalId":43712,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Southeast Asian Economies","volume":"36 1","pages":"284 - 303"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42763674","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Introduction: Inequality and Exclusion in Southeast Asia","authors":"Hwok-Aun Lee, C. Choong","doi":"10.1355/ae36-3a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1355/ae36-3a","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":43712,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Southeast Asian Economies","volume":"36 1","pages":"281 - 283"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49242059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract:Malaysia has consistently placed high priority on reducing income inequality, particularly between ethnic groups, with increasing emphasis in recent years on national—rather than intergroup—inequality, exclusion of low-income households, and gender disparity. Official statistics show steeply declining household income inequality in recent years, and a marginal gender wage gap, but further investigation finds different trends and more nuanced pictures. This paper presents alternative findings that pose questions about the official account. Computing estimates of wage distribution, the study finds moderate changes in inequality, with relatively higher wage growth at the top and bottom ends—managers, production and elementary workers—while professionals, skilled workers and service workers have experienced slower gains. Shifts in Malaysia's economic structure and labour markets are consistent with the modest changes in inequality that are observed, and somewhat confound the drastic drop plotted in official sources. On gender inequality, women's rapidly increased educational attainment and steadily rising labour participation have bolstered their economic standing, and may account for the surprisingly low average male-female wage disparity. However, when disaggregated by occupation, age group, and employment status, substantial gender gaps are observed. Malaysia's efforts to redress inequality warrant more rigorous analyses and systematic policies.
{"title":"Inequality in Malaysia: Empirical Questions, Structural Changes, Gender Aspects","authors":"Hwok-Aun Lee, C. Choong","doi":"10.1355/ae36-3d","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1355/ae36-3d","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:Malaysia has consistently placed high priority on reducing income inequality, particularly between ethnic groups, with increasing emphasis in recent years on national—rather than intergroup—inequality, exclusion of low-income households, and gender disparity. Official statistics show steeply declining household income inequality in recent years, and a marginal gender wage gap, but further investigation finds different trends and more nuanced pictures. This paper presents alternative findings that pose questions about the official account. Computing estimates of wage distribution, the study finds moderate changes in inequality, with relatively higher wage growth at the top and bottom ends—managers, production and elementary workers—while professionals, skilled workers and service workers have experienced slower gains. Shifts in Malaysia's economic structure and labour markets are consistent with the modest changes in inequality that are observed, and somewhat confound the drastic drop plotted in official sources. On gender inequality, women's rapidly increased educational attainment and steadily rising labour participation have bolstered their economic standing, and may account for the surprisingly low average male-female wage disparity. However, when disaggregated by occupation, age group, and employment status, substantial gender gaps are observed. Malaysia's efforts to redress inequality warrant more rigorous analyses and systematic policies.","PeriodicalId":43712,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Southeast Asian Economies","volume":"36 1","pages":"329 - 354"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47067492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract:This paper examines services sector liberalization and global production value chains in Indonesia, particularly focusing on the telecommunications sector. The study employs TiVA, Indonesia's Input Output (I-O) Tables and sectoral-level data for analysis, as firm-level data is not available for Indonesia's services sector. The value chain for the telecommunications services is also mapped to depict not just its contribution to the manufacturing sector, but also its importance for the overall growth of the economy. In addition, the paper delves into the regulatory framework governing the sector and the measures that can be taken to boost its progress.
{"title":"Global Services Supply Chain in Indonesia: The Case of Telecommunications Services","authors":"T. Anas, D. Narjoko","doi":"10.1355/ae36-3i","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1355/ae36-3i","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:This paper examines services sector liberalization and global production value chains in Indonesia, particularly focusing on the telecommunications sector. The study employs TiVA, Indonesia's Input Output (I-O) Tables and sectoral-level data for analysis, as firm-level data is not available for Indonesia's services sector. The value chain for the telecommunications services is also mapped to depict not just its contribution to the manufacturing sector, but also its importance for the overall growth of the economy. In addition, the paper delves into the regulatory framework governing the sector and the measures that can be taken to boost its progress.","PeriodicalId":43712,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Southeast Asian Economies","volume":"36 1","pages":"446 - 474"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46356929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract:The China-ASEAN trade relationship is multidimensional. The trade situation between China and Vietnam is not similar to that of China and the ASEAN-5, as the former records trade surpluses with Vietnam in agriculture and manufactures. Bilaterally, China's exports are also more homogeneously distributed relative to Vietnam, and comprise higher value-added intermediates. Despite the asymmetry in terms of economic capacity between China and Vietnam, it is not one-sided nor is it all downside, as there is a high level of economic interdependence between the two. The empirical results from the stochastic frontier analysis indicate that Vietnam's trade efficiency scores with China are somewhat comparable with the efficiency levels achieved by the other ASEAN members in trade with China. Importantly, Vietnam's exports of agriculture products to China are operating closer to their potential level than China's exports to Vietnam. Overall, there remains scope for improving export efficiency in the China-Vietnam partnership. It is therefore untrue to assume that only the larger side could get more from this relationship.
{"title":"Unlocking the Trade Potential in China-ASEAN Relations: The China-Vietnam Context","authors":"E. Devadason, V. Chandran","doi":"10.1355/AE36-3F","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1355/AE36-3F","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:The China-ASEAN trade relationship is multidimensional. The trade situation between China and Vietnam is not similar to that of China and the ASEAN-5, as the former records trade surpluses with Vietnam in agriculture and manufactures. Bilaterally, China's exports are also more homogeneously distributed relative to Vietnam, and comprise higher value-added intermediates. Despite the asymmetry in terms of economic capacity between China and Vietnam, it is not one-sided nor is it all downside, as there is a high level of economic interdependence between the two. The empirical results from the stochastic frontier analysis indicate that Vietnam's trade efficiency scores with China are somewhat comparable with the efficiency levels achieved by the other ASEAN members in trade with China. Importantly, Vietnam's exports of agriculture products to China are operating closer to their potential level than China's exports to Vietnam. Overall, there remains scope for improving export efficiency in the China-Vietnam partnership. It is therefore untrue to assume that only the larger side could get more from this relationship.","PeriodicalId":43712,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Southeast Asian Economies","volume":"36 1","pages":"380 - 399"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49426320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract:Over the past four decades, the Philippines has achieved significant advances in its growth performance and has undergone a series of transformations in its political, economic and social structures. However, while average incomes have risen, the country's record in terms of generating quality employment and reducing poverty and inequality has been disappointing. High levels of income inequality and social exclusion have persisted in the country, even as the rate of upward socio-economic mobility, at least compared to its ASEAN neighbours, has been low. Moreover, new evidence suggests that key forms of wealth inequality have been rising. These trends are caused not only by poor human and physical investment as well as the adverse effects of premature deindustrialization, but also by the dynamics of an oligarchical political economy in which political dynasties and family-linked conglomerates have substantially curbed the capacity of non-elite formations and players to assert more developmental policy regimes and substantive democratization.
{"title":"Structural Inequality in the Philippines: Oligarchy, (Im)mobility and Economic Transformation","authors":"P. Tuaño, J. Cruz","doi":"10.1355/ae36-3c","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1355/ae36-3c","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:Over the past four decades, the Philippines has achieved significant advances in its growth performance and has undergone a series of transformations in its political, economic and social structures. However, while average incomes have risen, the country's record in terms of generating quality employment and reducing poverty and inequality has been disappointing. High levels of income inequality and social exclusion have persisted in the country, even as the rate of upward socio-economic mobility, at least compared to its ASEAN neighbours, has been low. Moreover, new evidence suggests that key forms of wealth inequality have been rising. These trends are caused not only by poor human and physical investment as well as the adverse effects of premature deindustrialization, but also by the dynamics of an oligarchical political economy in which political dynasties and family-linked conglomerates have substantially curbed the capacity of non-elite formations and players to assert more developmental policy regimes and substantive democratization.","PeriodicalId":43712,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Southeast Asian Economies","volume":"36 1","pages":"304 - 328"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48111020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract:This paper examines the development of the services sector in India in terms of the global value chain (GVC) framework. In particular, it looks at the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) services and finds that firm characteristics such as size, age and foreign ownership are important determinants of GVC participation for IT firms. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that investment in computer and IT systems promotes forward and backward linkages by the companies. Likewise, while royalty payments for foreign technology prove to be an important factor for backward participation, that is not the case for forward participation. It is also shown that R&D expenditure does not have a positive impact on GVC participation, which suggests that Indian IT firms are currently engaged in low-end activities of the value chain, carrying out mundane tasks like coding and body-shopping. In order to upgrade to greater value-added activities, investment in new technologies and products is crucial.
{"title":"India in Global Services Value Chain: The Case of IT-BPM","authors":"S. S. Pattnayak, A. Chadha","doi":"10.1355/ae36-2d","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1355/ae36-2d","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:This paper examines the development of the services sector in India in terms of the global value chain (GVC) framework. In particular, it looks at the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) services and finds that firm characteristics such as size, age and foreign ownership are important determinants of GVC participation for IT firms. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that investment in computer and IT systems promotes forward and backward linkages by the companies. Likewise, while royalty payments for foreign technology prove to be an important factor for backward participation, that is not the case for forward participation. It is also shown that R&D expenditure does not have a positive impact on GVC participation, which suggests that Indian IT firms are currently engaged in low-end activities of the value chain, carrying out mundane tasks like coding and body-shopping. In order to upgrade to greater value-added activities, investment in new technologies and products is crucial.","PeriodicalId":43712,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Southeast Asian Economies","volume":"36 1","pages":"204 - 223"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2019-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41371786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Governing Cambodia's Forests: The International Politics of Policy Reform by Andrew Cock (review)","authors":"Lee Poh Onn","doi":"10.1355/ae36-2j","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1355/ae36-2j","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":43712,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Southeast Asian Economies","volume":"36 1","pages":"277 - 278"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2019-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44602487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract:A well-developed services supply chain is crucial for regional integration. In the context of East Asia and ASEAN, it will allow countries at varying development stages to effectively participate in regional as well as global supply chains. This paper examines services from a supply chain perspective and discusses policy implications for liberalization of the sector in East Asian economies. In particular, the study focuses on global value chain (GVC) activities for services that are independent of linkages to the manufacturing sector.
{"title":"Introduction: Services Supply Chain—The Impact on Trade and Development in East Asian Countries","authors":"F. Kimura, S. Thangavelu, C. Findlay, Lurong Chen","doi":"10.1355/ae36-2a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1355/ae36-2a","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract:A well-developed services supply chain is crucial for regional integration. In the context of East Asia and ASEAN, it will allow countries at varying development stages to effectively participate in regional as well as global supply chains. This paper examines services from a supply chain perspective and discusses policy implications for liberalization of the sector in East Asian economies. In particular, the study focuses on global value chain (GVC) activities for services that are independent of linkages to the manufacturing sector.","PeriodicalId":43712,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Southeast Asian Economies","volume":"36 1","pages":"141 - 152"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2019-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42240599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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