Liberation from Liberalization: Gender and Globalization in South East Asia

by Roksana Bahramitash

This book focuses on Southeast Asia and the role the state has played in the economies of Taiwan, Indonesia and the Philippines. While showing that the role of women in the economy has contributed significantly to economic growth, limiting the role of the state under the influence of neo-liberal globalization, particularly with welfare state reduction, has been responsible for growing poverty, especially among women. The book argues in favor of a system that incorporates women's groups into the decision-making process of the state while making sure the state remains both transparent and subject to the political advocacy of its citizens

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Fadillah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to realize that this book is published in the year of 2005. Over Fifteen years has passed and some of the information are considered outdated. However, this book offered so much insights on the liberalization policy that established by The world Bank and IMF and at the same time, the weaknesses of the policy itself that has inflicted a grievous injury to many Southeast Asian countries especially on the unpaid labor bore by the women of these countries. I was somewhat disappointed to discover that the author covered only Taiwan, Indonesia and Philippines as her research ground to show why measuring GNP and GDP doesn't really portrayed the economic development in a definitive way. I was hoping if anyone reading this review can enlighten me on why Taiwan was considered as Southeast Asia when in fact it is located in East Asia in this book. I thought author will share later why she put classify Taiwan as Southeast Asia but she never did. I would only recommend this book if you love economic perspective and theory or you have term paper or assignment regarding liberalization and are in need of some enlightenment regarding the policy. Otherwise, you wouldn't enjoy this book.
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Taiwan Chapter : This chapter evaluate the trend of using women as cheap labor has long benefitted the large industry like Manufacturing in Taiwan.
Indonesia Chapter - This chapter highlighted the strength of non governmental organization in carrying out welfare functions because the inability of the government to do so. It also stresses that most of the volunteers in this organization are women despite being stifled by regulation and restrictions.
Philippines Chapter - This chapter discusses on why most migrant workers and the hospitality industry are thriving among philippines women.
What are the similarity that these women in all of these 3 countries has? Most of them shifted from rural to urban area and right to outside of the countries for the betterment of their family lives. Taking Philippines and Indonesia as an example, most of these women choose Middle Eastern countries as their work destination in the hope of searching for better income. Once hired, they sending all of the money they have made abroad to their family in the country.