Growth, Distribution and Political Change: Asia and the Wider World (Studies in the Economies of East and Sou)

Continuing the inequality and development debate originally ushered in by Kuznets, this book extends to the possible sociopolitical disruptions of growing inequality and its ramifications for growth and development. Comparing a range of countries in Asia and beyond, the book examines the relationships between growth, distribution and politics. Theoretical and empirical studies are backed up by discussion of historical developments in this interdisciplinary study which will interest political scientists, sociologists, historians and economists. Front Matter....Pages i-xii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Introduction: Themes and Challenges....Pages 3-19 On Income Inequality and Democracy: Theories and Findings in Search of a Viable Database....Pages 20-41 Front Matter....Pages 43-43 The Social and Political Impacts of Income Distribution: The Japanese Experience....Pages 45-66 Income Distribution, Regionalism and Sociopolitical Instability in Korea....Pages 67-90 Income Disparity and Social Instability in China....Pages 91-113 Income Inequality and Uncertain Democracy in Thailand....Pages 114-142 The Economic Crisis and Rebellion in Rural Burma in the Early 1930s....Pages 143-157 Economic Growth, Income Inequality and Social and Political Unrest in the Philippines....Pages 158-177 Economic Growth and Political Change in Indonesia: The Late-Colonial and New Order Periods Compared....Pages 178-205 Front Matter....Pages 207-207 The Political Economy of Income Inequality in the United States....Pages 209-231 Income Expectations and Political Instability in Germany, 1918–39....Pages 232-255 Inequality, Growth, Economic Regime and Political Change in Latin America: An Overview....Pages 256-285 Reflections and Retrospect....Pages 286-296 Back Matter....Pages 297-307 This collection contributes to key theoretical debates about women workers in Asia and breaks new ground by focusing on issues that have been little documented in other studies of the area. It provides new information and insights into labour systems associated with labour-intensive export manufactures and state -- labour relations in a comparative context. The contributors present a range of unique and varied perspectives from which they consider aspects of the increasing integration of Asian economies, exploring implications for their labour markets. The study focuses on women's increased participation in the paid workforce in the context of rapid social and economic development that is taking place in Asia. It approaches women's work from an institutional and structural as well as an economic perspective by concentrating on a wide range of countries at different stages of development and size. The book also provides cross-national data and information on labour rights and trade union organisation among women in Asia. Since the 1950s the association between economic growth and economic inequality has intrigued economists. More recently the possible associations between economic inequality and political change have also become a matter of lively debate. There is now an extensive literature on these topics covering a wide spectrum of scholarly fields in economics, politics and history.This book brings together new studies in the relationships between economic change, economic inequality and political change. The focus is largely, though not exclusively, on the Asian region, and the various international specialists write from varying disciplinary perspectives. The book will widen our understanding of some of the most significant and challenging issues of our time. Since the 1950s the association between economic growth and economic inequality has intrigued economists. More recently the possible associations between economic inequality and political change have also become a matter of lively debate. There is now an extensive literature on these topics covering a wide spectrum of scholarly fields in economics, politics and history. This book brings together new studies in the relationships between economic change, economic inequality and political change.
"This book brings together new studies in the relationships between economic change, economic inequality and political change. The focus is largely, though not exclusively, on the Asian region, and the various international specialists write from varying disciplinary perspectives. The book will widen our understanding of some of the most significant and challenging issues of our time."--BOOK JACKET. "The book draws upon unprecedented empirical detail relating to Chinese firms, their growth patterns, joint ventures with foreign capital and responses to technological change and competition, as well as contributing to debates on economic networks, the economics of trust and relations between business and the state in the global economy."--Jacket Chinese Big Business and the Wealth of Asian Nations examines the crucial contribution of Chinese business groups to the rapid growth of South-East Asia.