Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : Asia Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dayuhan who wrote (8105)	2/25/1999 8:05:00 AM
From: Stitch	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9980

Steven; <<It has, but this transformation has been largely limited to urban areas. One major factor inhibiting the spread of growth to rural areas is, I believe, the relatively greater influence of traditional elites in the countryside. While their influence is frequently not easy for the casual visitor to detect, it is very real.>> While you took Lawrence up with this one he had simply re-posted what I had previously posted so I will go ahead and offer a response. You are quite right that, in the earlier stages of development, the growth of a middle class occurs primarily in urban areas. The same was true with the advent of the industrial revolution in Europe and the U.S. But here in Malaysia (if I may continue to use that as a lab case for our discussion) the worker availability and infrastructure restraints has led to development of industry in more rural settings. This may slow down now, of course, as the required infrastructure investment goes beyond current means. But when foreign investment picks up again I expect that trend to continue. I think some of this may be happening in the Philippines as well, isn't it? I am thinking of Cebu as an example. In any case I see this as a normal progression. Until urban area constraints kick in it would be quite normal to fill in the empty spaces close to population centers first. One by-product of all this is that places like Penang, Kuching, and Kuala Lumpur are chock full of young people drawn to the jobs. On holidays there is a phenomena they call "balik kempong". The city empties out as folks go home for a visit. It is these few times a year that we can actually drive around the city without the ubiquitous traffic jam. You also mentioned: <<This is why continued stress on non-economic factors like human rights and political liberalization is so important: it targets the non-economic means by which the old elites maintain their economic dominance.>> I agree and urge all who do to join Amnesty International. I believe they are an extremely effective group and I support their efforts beyond the membership fee. You have spoken of the similarities between the Philippines and South America, a point I agree with. If you go to the link be sure to click on campaigns and select the Children of Southeast Asia. Enough there to raise anyone's ire. amnesty.org Hope I haven't gone too far afield with this plug. <G> best, Stitch