Transition to an industrial economy in monsoon Asia

After a general analysis of the nature of this labor-intensive monsoon economy, this report examines how Taiwan and the Republic of Korea were able, in different ways, to move to an industrial society during the postwar decades ending in 1980 and discusses the inability of the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia to become industrial societies, along with the near success of West Malaysia, at the end of the 1970"s. A final part briefly analyzes why the giants of Asia, India and China, failed to industrialize, whereas city-states such as Hong Kong and Singapore succeeded in doing so, although from their starting points as service rather than predominantly agricultural societies. The paper emphasizes the need, under monsoon conditions, to develop agriculture sufficiently before shifting to an industrial strategy if the transition is to be completed speedily and successfully. The difficulties encountered during the transition to heavy processing industries are identified. The relationship of a successful transition to full employment, lower income inequalities, and demographic changes is briefly traced. Sixteen tables are appended. (Author abstract, modified)