Reflective Journals: Week 2 and 3

Journal on Week 2

On the lecture:

What interests me from the lecture is on Asian Population and how it gave rise to colonial and post-colonial rule. Asia is on a sub-continental scale of the Eurasian continent and the archipelago, it has experienced rapid changes both in population growth, economic development, and political rise. The lecture notes that the rapid spread of its population gave rise to Local Rulers and the establishment of kingdoms across the entire Asia that, in turn, gave birth to Theocracy type of governance. As a result, Colonial powers such as the Portuguese, the Dutch, French started arriving in Asia and colonizing using different methods and tactics such as assimilation, divide-and-rule, and forceful ways.

The lecture again notes that this gave rise to the introduction of Western ideologies such; Nationalism, Socialism, liberalism, and democracy, which saw the increase to an imbalance between the Asian and Western world. This situation led to the rise of the Cold War and the formation of Capitalism States. Despite all the fights and the struggles to end Colonialism, it is interesting to note that still there is post-colonialism. Will they rise to be in democratic State?

On the Reading Neighbours: Colonialism in East and Southeast Asia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, Chapter 4): (Knight, N. & Heazle, M. (2011). Understanding Australia’s

One point that captures my attention from the reading is the impact of the West into Asia and how different colonial powers strived to show dominance in the Asia part. The fact that each European power showed its tactics to dominate and rules. My attention is drawn mostly at what motivated this kind of move by the European nation as this was not uniform across all (p.77). The desire for profit, passion for spreading Christianity, sense for imperial responsibility, and prestige are some of the reasons that led to Colonialism (p.78). It is interesting to realize that each colonial power acted based on outdoing each other.

Journal on Week 3

On the Lecture:

One of what draws my interest from the lecture is the system of governance in Asia after World War II. It is vital to note that at the end of the war, different systems arose in various states in Asia. The types of methods of states include; Democratic State like Japan, Communist State like Vietnam, and Military-controlled states like South Korea. With the Democratic states giving its citizens’ rights to choose leaders, the Communist countries controlled by the dominant party.

In contrast, as the military runs the Military-Controlled state. Each state has its system of governance and may the same or different from another country, depending on the political nature adopted. Looking into these in terms of the three primary operations, the level by which a Country is developed, one gets to wonder of the distinction between states when it comes to economic development.

On the Reading (J.N. Pieterse (2016). Democracy is Coming. University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA, Chapter 2):

My interest and vital things to note from the reading is how democracy has impacted on the development of different governance. In as much has it has been viewed to be the best option for states, it has given rise to different classes in the society like the middle class (p.25). It is witnessed by the gap that is created in governance and policy regulations. In as much has it has led to the growth and expansion of technology, without understanding what democracy is can pose some serious challenges, especially to the developing states. It is interesting to note the most significant problem that confronts Asian Countries is not capitalism, but it is the issue of democracy, especially in this Twenty-first Century (p.30). It is possible to handle this problem with a better understanding of democracy. Democracy discussion is not about the importance of multiparty elections but rather about regulations, institutions, and accountability (p.37).

References

Knight, N., & Heazle, M. (2011). Understanding Australia’s neighbors: an introduction to East and Southeast Asia. Cambridge University Press.

Pieterse, J. N. (2018). Populism Is a Distraction. New Global Studies, 12(3), 377-386.