Nation-State Making And Economic Development Assignment Thre ✓ Solved
Nation State Making And Economic Developmentassignment Threefor This A
For this assignment, you must choose one of the countries in the Asia-Pacific region that is covered in this course (China, Japan, S. Korea, N. Korea, Taiwan, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, East Timor, or the Philippines) and write a short essay answering the following questions:
1. Looking at your specific country example, how was the nation-state created? Did it take place through revolution or was it peacefully constructed? What institutions were created to help bind the nation together?
2. What were the outside influences affecting the paths taken in creating the nation-state? For example, if your country took a socialist path to nation-state building, how was it influenced? What philosophical understandings came into play? Who were the players involved?
3. What are the particular characteristics of your chosen country that would make nation-state building simple or complex (or somewhere in between)?
4. As your chosen country settled into its new form of being an independent state, what were the steps taken to develop the economy? In answering this question, first think about what type of economic system developed – was it a capitalist open market economy or a command economy or a mixed economy? What approach was taken to ensure that the economy would grow? Were there changes to the initial approach taken? If so, describe the various stages of economic development.
5. Does the state (government) have a hand in managing the economy in your chosen country? How involved is the government and in what way? Offer examples of how the government is involved.
6. We reviewed theoretical approaches to political economy in your lecture videos. Discuss which approach best analyzes your country. For example, did your country take a modernization capitalist market economy approach or did it take a socialist command economy approach to this political economic development? Or perhaps it took a statist approach that involved a mixed economy. In order for you to be successful in your assignment, you must do some research to learn about your chosen country. You can refer to the video lectures, the assigned readings as well as expanding your research to articles accessible online. Please try to use peer reviewed articles that can be accessed through the Camosun College Library databases such as Ebscost Host.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The selection of Japan as the focus for this paper provides an illustrative example of nation-state formation within the Asia-Pacific region. Japan's journey from a fragmented collection of feudal domains to a unified modern nation offers insights into the processes of peaceful nation-building, institutional development, external influences, and economic strategies. This essay explores how Japan was created, the influences it encountered, its characteristics affecting nation-building, and the evolution of its economic system, as well as the role of government in managing the economy.
Creation of the Nation-State
Japan's formation as a nation-state was predominantly a result of a prolonged process of peaceful unification, punctuated by the centralization of authority during the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Prior to this, Japan was a fragmented feudal society with power dispersed among regional daimyo and samurai clans. The Meiji government abolished the feudal domains and established a centralized bureaucratic state, creating institutions such as a modern military, centralized civil service, and a constitutional government.
This transformation was primarily achieved through reforms and negotiations, rather than revolution, facilitating a relatively peaceful process of nation-state building. The establishment of institutions like the Meiji Constitution of 1889 helped unify the country under a shared political framework, fostering national identity and stability.
External Influences and Philosophical Foundations
Japan's path was heavily influenced by external forces, particularly Western imperialism and technological advancement. The rapid modernization during the Meiji era was driven by the desire to prevent colonization, leading Japan to adopt Western political, technological, and military institutions.
Philosophically, Japan was influenced by ideas of nationalism, modernization, and industrialism. The adoption of the Meiji Constitution was inspired by Western constitutional monarchies, and the government actively sought foreign expertise to modernize the economy and military. International players such as the United States, Britain, and Germany served as models for institutional development.
Characteristics Impacting Nation-building
Japan's relatively homogeneous society, with a shared language and culture, facilitated nation-building by fostering a strong national identity. Its centralized government structure and strong imperial leadership also contributed to the relatively smooth unification process. However, transitioning from feudal structures to a modern state involved complex social adjustments, including reforms in education and military organization.
Economic Development Steps
Following its nation-state formation, Japan adopted a capitalist, open-market economy, emphasizing industrialization and technological advancement. The government promoted economic growth through policies encouraging enterprise, infrastructure development, and education. Notable stages included the Meiji government's industrial policies, followed by the zaibatsu conglomerates dominating the economy in the early 20th century.
Over time, Japan shifted from a focus on export-led growth to include technological innovation and global integration, especially after World War II, leading to rapid economic expansion and becoming a leading global economy.
Government Role in Managing the Economy
The Japanese government has historically played a significant role in directing economic development. During the post-war period, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) guided industrial policy, provided subsidies, and protected strategic industries. Today, the government still influences the economy through policy frameworks supporting innovation, research, and development, as well as maintaining strong regulatory oversight.
Theoretical Perspective
Japan’s economic history most closely aligns with a statist approach, characterized by a mixed economy with significant government intervention. The developmental state model, emphasizing coordination between government and industry, explains Japan’s rapid growth, particularly in the post-war era (Johnson, 1982). While elements of capitalism are prominent, state-led planning and strategic industrial policies were pivotal, reflecting a hybrid approach that integrates market forces with government planning.
Conclusion
In summary, Japan exemplifies a peaceful and institutionally supported process of nation-state creation, heavily influenced by external factors and philosophical ideas centered on modernization. Its development trajectory exemplifies a mixed economy with substantial government involvement, aligning with the statist approach to political economy. Understanding Japan’s journey offers valuable insights into nation-building and economic development in the Asia-Pacific context.
References
- Johnson, C. (1982). MITI and the Japanese miracle: The growth of industrial policy, 1925-1975. Stanford University Press.
- Ezra, E., & Tsurumi, T. (2012). The Making of Modern Japan. Harvard University Press.
- Chalmers, J. (1993). The state and foreign economic aid: Japan as a developmental state. Pacific Review, 6(2), 125-138.
- Preston, D. (1996). The politics of Japanese trade and industrial policy: From the Meiji Restoration to the 1980s. Routledge.
- Gordon, A. (2003). A Modern History of Japan: From Tokugawa times to the present. Oxford University Press.
- Orr, A. (2011). Contemporary Japan: History, politics, and social change. Routledge.
- Hassett, M. (2002). The political economy of Japan's economic development. Routledge.
- Shinoda, T. (2015). Industrial policy and economic development in Japan. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Toyoda, M. (2014). The evolution of Japan's economic policy: From the post-war boom to the present. Springer.
- Uchida, T. (2010). The Development of the Japanese Economy and Its Policy. Cambridge University Press.