Communism in East/Southeast Asia

1. Communism in East/Southeast Asia By: Baba Qazi (Original Creator) Jeremy Phan

2. How it affects the region… • Communism has had several effects on E/SE Asia. The region has been greatly affected politically, socially, and economically. However, most of these effects are negative and should be rectified. For that to happen, the first thing that would need to happen is a new form of government being established.

3. Political Effects • The countries have a corrupt government which restrains the progression of their country. • Also, most other countries do not appreciate the way these communist countries operate because they isolate themselves from other countries and don’t allow any trade to occur.

4. Economic Effects • Some economic effects that Communism brings to a country include agrarian society, limited choice for consumers, and self-sufficient lifestyles. • The citizens have to basically figure out ways to provide for their family on their own. Also, most citizens work on farms and barely make enough to support themselves. • Communism also means having a command economy. Due to this type of economy, the government controls everything that is produced and leaves the citizens with very little choice of things that can be purchased. Also, command economy doesn’t provide many jobs so the GDP per person is very low. Empty city streets during “rush hour”.

5. Social Effects • Communist government gives the people limited freedoms, isolates them from the rest of the world, and also causes starvation for the people. • The people of these countries are not allowed to practice their own religion. Instead, they are ordered to worship the leader of the nation. • The poor farming conditions are the main cause of the starvation that the people suffer because most people farm in that region. The poor conditions leave a lot of people in starvation. Family taking picture under statue of North Korean dictator.

6. Solution • As it was apparent in the effects communism has, this form of government has major negative impacts on the country’s progress and the people. I think that these problems can be fixed but only if a new form government is established. These countries need to have the communist government overthrown and establish more of a democracy. This will result in better lives for the people and would also be good for the country’s poor conditions.

7. Solution Critique Baba’s solution can work. The people would have to overthrow the government and establish a new government, similar to many countries who win their independence from another country. However, the weak part is that the people would have no means to overthrow it (supplies, weapons, etc.) and it would result in a war and potentially worldwide. I believe the first step to solving this is to somehow deliver aid to those in Communist countries, whether it be economically or militarily. I think there are no alternate solutions to this problem. -Jeremy Phan

8. Resource Citation • http://cyridgewgh08.wikispaces.com/5th+Marking+Period