Rise of the Asian Tigers in the 1980s: Causes and Effects

Rise of the Asian Tigers in the 1980s: Causes and Effects Examine the rise of the so-called Asian Tigers in the 1980s and its importance for regional economic development. Focus on one or two countries. The following will thoroughly examine the rise of the so-called Asian Tigers in the 1980s, and its importance for the advancing of regional economic development within the Southeast region of Asia. The countries included within the term Asian Tiger had generally been poor and economically underdeveloped at the start of the immediate post-war period. The majority of the countries that would go on to form the so-called Asian Tigers were colonies, or had recently been colonies which had been ruled by Western powers such as Britain, or in the case of South Korea, by Japan. The so-called Asian Tigers were countries that by and large had substantial natural resources, were strategically well-placed, as well as having the potential of becoming wealthier, and eventually offering their populations higher standards of living. Although the governments of the nation states that make up the so-called Asian Tigers had originally acted independently of each other, the economic policies they pursued led to strong, even dynamic economic growth. Besides improving the economic position of each of the so-called Asian Tigers, their economic polices also arguably, had a high level of importance for regional economic development within the Southeast region taken as a whole. Although the countries that became the so-called Asian Tigers held various factors or policies in common with each other, this following examination will concentrate upon South Korea and Taiwan as the main examples to be evaluated, as well as analysed. In many respects the blueprint for the economic development of the countries that became the so-called Asian Tigers was provided by Japan, which had become one of the most prosperous and dynamic economies in the world by the 1970s. The term Asian Tigers itself was originally made up as a means to describe the high economic growth rates and increased degrees of economic development of countries within the Southeast and East Asia regions. When the term Asian Tigers came into widespread use it usually referred to Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, alongside the two countries featured in this examination in more detail, South Korea, and Taiwan. Japanese development was faster than that of the other four original Asian Tigers. Britain influenced the economic policies of Hong Kong, as it remained a British colony until reverting back to Chinese control in 1997. Some studies of the Asian Tigers have also included Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and although still officially a communist state, the Peoples’ Republic of China (Evans Newnham, 1998 p. 36). There are sound reasons as to why the governments of the countries within the Southeast and the Eastern regions of Asia decided to attempt to accelerate the rates of economic growth, as well as the depth of development within their domestic economies. Some of the reasons for striving to achieve sustainable high levels of economic growth and development, social and political motivations were also influential, even if not as paramount as economic factors. The objectives of the governments of the countries that became the so-called Asian Tigers were to modernise their national economies (Brown with Ainley, 2005 p. 157). The intention was to transform their national economies from being underdeveloped, to newly industrialised countries and eventually to become developed countries. Japan was probably the best role model for the governments of South Korea and Taiwan to copy or emulate (Bannock, Baxter and Davis, p.278). Japan had been economically, as well as physically devastated as a con sequence of the Second World War, yet its post-war economic development was a remarkable example to attempt to copy (Hobsbawm, 1994, p.279). Japan, just like the countries of Western Europe had been helped to recover and develop economically courtesy of substantial funding from the United States. The Americans had been content to aid other countries to prevent the spread of Communism (Evans Newnham, 1998, p.316). Aside from aid from foreign governments and money from private foreign investors, the governments of South Korea and Taiwan could use the Asian Development Bank, besides the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to fund their economic development projects (Bannock, Baxter Davis, 2003, p.10). In some respects the governments of South Korea and Taiwan were able to take advantage of their countries respective geographic and strategic positions when they pursued economic development policies, which led to them being included amongst the so-called Asian Tigers. Perhaps the governments of South Korea and Taiwan would not have received so much foreign investment had it not been for the Civil War. South Korea in particular, was given substantial American assistance after the end of the Korean War which had caused a great deal of damage (Woodruff, 2005, p.255). The government of South Korea instigated successful strategies for economic growth and development in the aftermath of the Korean War ending. The agricultural sector was reformed, whilst the government actively promoted industrialisation, a process aided by high levels of investment, particularly from the United States and Japan (Tipton, 1998, 305). The Americans were keen for South Korea to have a strong economy to bolste r the position of its regime, while Japan was the largest single investor in the country. The reason why industrialisation was successful in South Korea was the high quality of the products made there, as well as the skills of the South Korean workforce. Japanese companies also sited factories in South Korea, due to the skills and the productivity of its workers (Tipton, 1998 p. 426). By the 1980s, South Korea had a strong economy with high growth, high productivity, advanced industries, and skilled workers. The combination of all of these factors meant that the country enjoyed dynamic economic growth, definitely entitling it to be included amongst the so-called Asian Tigers. Strong economic growth and development in South Korea arguably had an impact upon economic development in the Southeast and East Asia regions. The government of South Korea realised that unhindered and unrestricted trade, as well as investments would be in the best interests of all the countries within the Asia-Pacific area. After all South Korea was one of the so-called Asian Tigers in the 1980s that were successful due to extensive trade with the United States, Japan, and its neighbours (Tipton, 1998 p.427). Taiwan was another country that was included in the group of nations dubbed the Asian Tigers, due to a sustained period of dynamic economic growth and also rapid economic development. Taiwan had actually been part of China prior to the Communist take over of the Chinese mainland in 1949. The remnants of the Nationalist fled to Taiwan and went into exile. The anti-Communist stance of Taiwan’s government increased the chance of conflict with China. However, the threat of conflict with China also brought with it American military protection and financial assistance (Crystal, 2007 p. 339). Taiwan’s transition from an economically underdeveloped country towards becoming one of the so-called Asian Tigers began during the 1950s when the agricultural sector was made more efficient. Improved agricultural efficiency allowed more labour, material and financial resources to be used in a rapid industrialisation process (Tipton, 1998 p. 306). Taiwan was able to finance much of the in dustrialisation process through the increased exports of agricultural products and later the proceeds of selling industrial goods. The dynamic economic growth and impressive economic development was assisted by the diversity of the industries set up, which ranged from heavy industry such as steel, through to the manufacture of electronic components and consumer goods (Whitaker’s 2007 p. 1015). The government of Taiwan, with the private sector having little influence over decision-making controlled the initial moves towards the industrialisation and also the modernisation of the economy. As with South Korea and the other so-called Asian Tigers, trade was of vital importance to the success of the industrialisation and also the modernisation of the economy, as without trade economic growth and development would have occurred slowly if at all. Exports helped to pay for new factories, new machinery, besides raising levels of economic growth. In turn new factories and new machinery meant that Taiwan increased its productivity levels, and was then able to export more goods and products abroad. Higher export revenues greatly assisted the transformation of Taiwan into being a newly industrialised country, as well as subsequent progress towards being a fully developed country (Brown with Ainley, 2005 p. 157). The government of Taiwan changed its approach to achieving high levels of economic growth and development during the 1970s, allowing the private sector and foreign investment to have a much more pronounced influence over decision-making (Crystal, 2007 p. 339). Economic liberalisation would prove to be a precursor for both the democratization of Taiwan, and with efforts to strengthen trade links with other countries in the region (Tipton, 1998 p. 430). Economic growth rates remained impressively high throughout the 1980s, and could have been even better but for widespread corruption (Woodruff, 2005 p. 372). The maintaining of strong trading links, the improvement of other areas of trade, alongside attracting substantial foreign investments kept Taiwan’s economic growth and development as impressive as ever during the 1980s. Taiwan’s government however, along with other governments within the region regarded the expansion of trade within the region as being vital for the continuation of both economic growth and development (Tipton, 1998 p. 429). Trade with Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea also assisted regional economic development as a whole, and not just within each individual country. Trade between the so-called Asian Tigers stimulated all of their economies to the mutual benefit of them all. Trade with other countries such as the United States, China, Australia, and Russia was also considered to be important for the economic development of the region (Bannock, Baxter, Davis, 2003 p. 36). In 1989, the so-called Asian Tigers were amongst the founding members of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation organisation, an organisation which was intended to boost trade between all of its member states and thus provide further stimulus for regional economic development (Bannock, Baxter, Davis, 2003 p.10). Therefore, the so-called Asian Tigers were able to achieve high rates of economic growth and development through the economic policies adopted by their respective governments. The governments of South Korea and Taiwan at first played a prominent role in promoting economic growth and development in their countries. Taiwan had been a largely agriculture island of little significance until the former Nationalist government of China fled there. The South Korean government had the task of reconstructing its country after the Korean War. Both countries reformed their agricultural sectors as a means of funding industrialisation and modernisation programmes. To a degree both countries were also helped by American aid, especially South Korea due to their strategic locations during the Cold War. Trade was a vital stimulation for the high economic growth and development experienced by South Korea and Taiwan, particularly that with the other so-called Asian Tigers and with the United States. Tra de generated wealth, and it also stimulated foreign investment into all of the so-called Asian Tigers. Contact with other countries also had the unintended effect of promoting economic and political reform in South Korea and Taiwan. Both countries were keen to promote trade further, as demonstrated by joining the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation organization. Over all the entire link between increased economic growth and development within the so-called Asian Tigers and the improvement of the regional economic development, as a whole is strong. Bibliography Brown C, with Ainley K, (2005) Understanding International Relations 3rd edition, Palgrave, Basingstoke Crystal D, (2007) The Penguin Factfinder, Penguin, London Evans G Newnham J, (1998) The Penguin Dictionary of International Relations, Penguin, London Hobsbawm, E (1994) Age of Extremes, the Short Twentieth Century 1914-1991, Michael Joseph, London Tipton F B, (1998) The Rise of Asia, Economics, Society and Politics in Contemporary Asia, MacMillan, Basingstoke Whitaker’s (2007) Whitaker’s Almanack – Today’s world in one volume, A C, London Woodruff W, (2005) A Concise History of the Modern World, Abacus, London

Agility Logistics

In the business-economic system, logistics is one of the vital components that fuel success of companies. Every company has a special budget for logistics. Logistics is the aspect that manages the company’s flow of resources and information in order to conform to the consumers’ necessities — from inventory to packaging.Mainly, it is about the movement of funds and resources from one business to another until it reaches the customers. In the recent years, logistics has become a vital part of the production cost with its number ranging from 5% to 10%.Moreover, logistics isn’t just vital to businesses but to the government as well. According to research, logistics is even said to have originated from the military’s need to supply themselves with ammunition and arms. Military logistics, also known as combat service support, carry out the planning, development and maintenance of all military operations. It deals mainly on forecasting the supplies and ser vices needed.Military officials based their assessment and analysis on logistics. It helps greatly in the improvement of facilities and training. Because of the developments in military logistics, the government was able to develop strategies in national defense and security handling.To meet every company’s needs, the concept of third party logistics was formulated. A third part logistics provides outsourced logistics services to companies, thus making company’s obligations and responsibilities easier. Some companies hire a third part logistics instead of spending money in the creation of their logistics department.Currently, there are thousands of companies all over the world that specialize in the field of logistics, providing third part logistics for other companies. Among the top ten companies making names in third part logistics is Agility.Agility OverviewAgility is a company known world wide in the field of logistics, more specifically in third part logistics. It has more than 32,000 employees, and over 550 offices around the globe. Agility classified their services into three business groups: Global Integrated Logistics (GIL), Defense and Government Services (DGS) and Investments. The business groups are described in their official website www.agilitylogistics.com as follows:The Global Integrated Logistics (GIL) business group offers an integrated portfolio of logistics solutions supported by a comprehensive network of warehousing facilities, transportation and freight management services worldwide.Defense and Government Services (DGS), our government contracting group, leverages our global logistics network and our track record of exceptional service to provide comprehensive logistics solutions to the defense and government sector.Agility’s Investments business groups covers three lines of businesses – Real Estate, Private Equity and Trade Facilitation, and our expertise in emerging markets to develop superior investment opp ortunities.Agility’s customers range from businesses related to technology, various retail products to oil related industries. According to the president and CEO of Agility, Essa Al Saleh, â€Å"Agility offers customer-driven solutions dedicated to meeting our customer’s supply chain needs.† Each of Agility’s business group team is dedicated to meet each personalized customer needs in the complex economic system.One Company, Three Business GroupsOne notable strategy of Agility is the division of their company into three business groups: Global Integrated Logistics, Defense and Government Services and Investments. Each client has unique needs. Generally, needs are discussed in a very general and rather vague manner.With Agility’s three business groups, needs are narrowed until identified and classified among the groups. Each of the three business groups has specific functions and solutions particularly designed to answer the requirements of the clie nts.The economic system is very complex. In addition, the government also has needs that should be attended professionally. In the quest to becoming the leader in logistics, Agility made a strategy that will make them the first option of any company, business or government from all over the world when it comes to logistics needs.The services that logistics companies offer have a very wide range. By classifying the services into three specific areas, the clients readily see what Agility has to offer.One of Agility’s main shout out is serving its clients’ personalized needs. The three business groups serve this motto. Because of this strategy, whenever a client has logistics needs or whenever a client is looking for a logistics company to be outsourced, Agility will always be an option. For example, when a government agency, military for example,Global Integrated LogisticsSupply Chain SolutionsAgility has several services under its Supply Chain Solutions: Warehousing and Distribution, Facilities Management, Just-in Time, Vendor Managed Inventory, Employee Relocation, Contract Logistics Management, Origin Cargo Management, Direct to Store and Reverse Logistics.

Secret Shortcuts to Good College Essay Topics to Write about Only a Few People Know About

Secret Shortcuts to Good College Essay Topics to Write about Only a Few People Know About How to Find Good College Essay Topics to Write about on the Web If you're authentic, nobody can write the identical essay as you! Today there are many sources a student can depend on for a case of a personal essay. Individual schools sometimes need supplemental essays. Writing the college application essay is a difficult gig. College application essay topics are an essential portion of an entertaining and compelling bit of writing. Before it is possible to pick a compelling essay topic, first you need to know why there's an essay in the very first spot. Below, you'll discover a number of the ideal process essay topics that you could use for your paper. In open-ended essay assignments, deciding upon an essay topic gets crucial to the general success of the bit of writing. Moral argumentative essay topics are a few of the simplest to get carried away with. Understanding how to compose a strong argumentative paper will help you advance your very own argumentative thinking. It will be simpler that you be aware all sources of information at the start of the work than try to get all them after the writing. So without further ado, here are a few effective writing tips to produce your common app essay stick out! Bear in mind you may make funny argumentative essays if you do a few things. Sure, with this kind of a substantial selection of topics to pick from, picking just one may be challenging. To begin with, the exact first step is to learn the specific topic you would like to write about. The only rule to follow when picking a topic for your college essay is to select the topic you're eager to write about. While students may initially enjoy the idea of picking an essay topic, they soon understand that the determination of essay topic ideas can be somewhat difficult. You could possibly be given the topic straight away by your professor, or you can be free to opt for the topic yourself. It's important to select debatable argumentative essay topics since you need opposing points you may counter to your own points. What You Don't Know About Good College Essay Topics to Write about Our online tutors can also assist you with the best method to start computer science essay that will fulfill the qualifications of an excellent paper standard. College is an intellectual place so attempt to convince the board that you're the correct person in their opinion. On the flip side, some argue that the expense of college leaves students with crippling debt they'll never have the a bility to repay. Colleges are more inclined to admit students who can articulate certain explanations for why the school is an excellent fit about them beyond its reputation or ranking on any list. You should try out the different search engines to find an overall view of the present trend being searched online. Colleges are searching for a feeling of maturity and introspectionpinpoint the transformation and demonstrate your private growth.

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