Abstract This paper reviews the history of Asian-American discrimination in the United States, race-based policies and court decisions. The author points out the stereotyping of all Asian Americans as a model minority image and why the term Asian Americans is too broad a category. The paper stresses the need for affirmative actions programs to correct the problem of under-representation of Asian-Americans in academia.
From the Paper "There can be no question that Asian-Americans have been subject to racial discrimination in the United States. Until only a generation ago, Asian-Americans were essentially treated as second class ..."
Tags: affirmative action, asian americans, race, students
Abstract This paper attempts to construct a definition of an Asian-American writer through the common themes in their literary works. Several examples of Asian-American novels are presented and analyzed for their shared themes such as alienation and family. These works include Eric Liu's "The Accidental Asian," "The Interpreter" by Suki Kim and "No-No Boy," by John Okada. The author concludes that the themes of self-doubt and estrangement make reading 'Asian-American' literature an enriching, complex experience.
From the Paper "This theme of internal estrangement becomes a metaphorical plot device in The Interpreter by Suki Kim. The protagonist of the novel has two murdered parents. The young woman is a both a literal and figurative orphan of her home, her original Korean culture, and cast adrift in America. If she can find their murderers, Suzy hopes, she will gain a sense of identity and a greater affinity with her national past. However, her pursuit of justice only drives her deeper into psychological turmoil and a sense of displacement, as she seeks her parent's murderers in vain in the Korean-American underworld of New York City."
Tags:Asian-Americans, literature, immigrant, experience, Suki, Kim, Eric, Liu, Jon, Okada
This paper summarizes the various views taken by the World Bank on Asian economic development before the crisis, and how the effects of the Asian crisis threw the Bank's judgement.into doubt.
Abstract This paper examines reasons for the East Asian economic crisis during 1997 and 1998. The World Bank report of 1993 praises many of the practices that ultimately led to the crisis. Currencies, stock markets, 'crony capitalism' and financiers are examined. The paper argues that both economic and cultural reasons are ultimately to blame for the economic crisis.
From the Paper "In recent decades international financial institutions, most notably the World Bank, have held up East Asia as a capitalist miracle, a role model for the rest of the world to follow. The Newly Industrialising Countries (NIC's) took off during the 1970's and included countries from around the world. But is was almost exclusively the NIC's of Asia who maintained their high growth rates through the 1980's and 1990's. While the South American NIC's were left behind in the debt crisis of the early 1980's, the Asian 'Tigers' continued to surge ahead. South Korea, for example, maintained a manufacturing growth rate of nearly 9% a year during the 1980's, while exports grew by 10% a year (Hadjor: 1992). Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore also enjoyed such success, and they were soon joined by other Asian countries such as Malaysia and Thailand. By 1987 the combined manufacturing exports of South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore totalled about half of all third world exports compared with 6% for Mexico and Brazil combined (ibid). The World Bank firmly believed that the experience of the Asian tigers constituted a viable model for other Third World countries. In 1993, the Bank published its seminal work 'The East Asian Miracle' as a guide to how the Tigers had been so successful. But disaster hit the East Asian region in 1997/98 when the economies in that part of the world took a massive beating from what became the 'Asian Crisis'. Suddenly the World Bank report and hopes for the region looked decidedly inaccurate. Here we will summarise the various views taken by the World Bank on Asian economic development before the crisis hit, together with how the effects of the Asian Crisis threw into doubt the Banks judgement."
Tags:asian, crisis, capitalism, crisis, crony, globalisation, world, bank, asia
Abstract An examination of the social issues created by the influx of immigrant workers with a special focus on female workers from Asian countries. This paper looks at how these women have to fight for recognition on a number of fronts - being Asian, being immigrants and especially being women. The writer looks at two generations of these workers and asks if their personal attitudes have changed and whether society's attitudes have changed towards them, as well.
From the Paper "With the high level of susceptibility to gender and minority issue, Asian women immigrants have to cope with more challenge than their male fellows do. As immigrants, they need enough fortitude to get along with their new community besides fulfilling personal dreams.
"The problem of discrimination has been continuing since the first group came in America in the middle of 19th century. The earlier generation mainly worked as labors, domestic helpers, even prostitutes. The industrialization era commenced in America in 1870 had attracted mass movements of migrants from other countries and built long establishment after that."
Abstract Most authors have argued that the Asian financial crisis has been the worst economic crisis the world has experienced since the Great Depression of the 1930s. This paper will focus on the affects that Asian recovery might have on the American economy.
Tags: ECONOMICS / INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS, impact asian recovery
Abstract One of the most urgent issues facing our environment and our lives in terms of pollution, has been the "Brown Cloud", or "Asian Brown Cloud" phenomenon of massive concentrations of air-borne pollutants found above heavily industrialized and wholly unregulated areas. It is the purpose of this paper to look at the origins, the effects, and the solution to the Asian and other Brown Cloud problems rising in the world.
Abstract This paper begins by briefly outlining the astronomical pace of economic growth in the East Asian NICs. It then explores the course of development's relationship to development theory. It asserts that the neo-liberal link between economic development and democracy and greater equality is dismissed by the experience of the NICs. However, the dependency/world system approach, currently expressed in globalization, is affirmed by the recent history of the East Asian NICs and the present situation.
Abstract The writer looks at the killing of an Asian-American woman in San Jose, California in 2003, by a police officer. The writer analyzes this case in terms of Asian-Americans and discrimination. Details of the shooting are included in this article. The writer also discusses response to the shooting.
From the Paper "... a mentally disturbed year-old Vietnamese mother of two, Cau Bich Tran, was shot and killed by San Jose California police officer Chad Marshall in front of her boyfriend and young sons. Gathright A. Marshall was brought to the Grand Jury, which heard testimony that resulted in a refusal to indict the officer for murder or manslaughter after seven days of testimony, during a rare public grand jury probe of the incident in which Officer Marshall testified that he was forced ... "
Abstract In this essay, the writer introduces a group and describes that group using the persona description method. The paper then proceeds to use the classification method to break down stereotypes about this group. With this in mind, the writer has chosen to focus upon Asian drivers in America. The paper therefore briefly describes the group and then outlines all the various sub-categories which exist with regards to Asian drivers.
From the Paper "As should become apparent, many of the lazy and complacent assumptions that have been made in the past about the Asian driving community in America are not only invidious in nature, but also just plain wrong. What sort of description would best suffice when trying to encapsulate the general view of Asian drivers?"
Abstract This paper details the roots and causes of the Asian Financial Crisis in the late 90's. The author discusses some of the economic conditions responsible for the crisis and the various countries involved.
From the Paper "Some economic analysts have described the Asian financial crisis as one of the worst financial disasters to occur in history. These same economists argue that the Asian financial crisis was far worse than the Latin American debt crisis and could be likened to the great depression of the 1930?s. While not any one specific cause can attempt to explain the reason for the crisis, a number of factors during this time frame existed that helped to facilitate the collapse of the Asian economy. Each country affected by the crisis had different impending circumstances for being vulnerable to this predicament during that time period. The crisis began in a few concentrated countries in southeastern Asia and by the end had propagated throughout many of the countries located in Asia bringing devastating affects."
Abstract This paper studies how the image and identity of Asian Americans, as perpetuated and politicized by media in the U.S. The paper also compares these images to those of African Americans.
Abstract This paper examines the phenomenal economic growth experienced by Asian countries in the bubble economy, which subsequently sustained a "bust" in 1997, and proposes a model of progress derived from their experience that can be applied to other developing nations.
From the Paper "The growth and development of Asian countries in the past years, has in some cases resulted in miracle economies where countries experienced exceptional economic growth within a relatively short period of time. These ..."
Tags:Asian, miracle economies, South Korea, Thailand, model of progress
Abstract This paper examines the repercussions of Asian imports on the Italian economy, noting that Italy has a diversified industrial capitalist economy which is divided into an industrially developed north dominated by private companies, and a less developed south in which agriculture predominates. It further discusses how most raw materials needed by industry and more than seventy-five percent of energy requirements are imported.
Abstract This paper highlights the commonalities and differences in the immigration and integration process of African and Asian-Americans. The focus is on the hardships endured by both groups. The author points out how both groups endured difficult voyages to reach America, although the Chinese paid a fee to come while the blacks were brought against their will. Also illustrated is the racism both groups endured upon their arrival to America, which often included violence. The author concludes that although both groups have gained freedom and rights in modern America, they still face prejudice and racism in various parts of their lives.
From the Paper "Asian Americans and African Americans both had to immigrate to the United States, they were not native to the area. African Americans were some of the first immigrants to arrive; most of them were initially brought here against their will to serve as slaves in both the North and South of the eastern United States. There are records of slaves and free blacks living in the U.S. in the 1700s and by the early1800s, there were thousands of blacks working as slaves on the great plantations of the South."
Abstract The paper posits that the British media suppressed reporting of the Asian Meltdown because of British leaders' involvement in the crisis. It reviews the crisis itself, when the Thai currency, the baht, failed, and a domino chain of other Southeast Asian currencies followed. The paper then examines the Asian Miracle of the 1980s, and shows that the seeds for the later failure were planted then. It shows how the IMF (International Monetary Fund) bailout of the banks exacerbated and prolonged the crisis. The writer contrasts the Asian and American economic models of investment, especially debt to equity ratios, and the intervention of speculators. In conclusion, the writer blames corruption and greed as the root causes of the crisis.
Sections:
Thesis Statement
The Admissions Statement of the BBC
The Origins of the Crisis
Other Factors to Consider in "From Miracle to Crisis"
What Defines the Asian Miracle
The US Observation of the Miracle
Debt and Corruption - The Handmaiden of Speculation
Reform and Conclusions
From the Paper "Among US observers, the "Asian Miracle," aroused both awe and fear, especially in the 1980s when Asian countries became formidable US competitors. Japan, which has now become the world's second most powerful economy after the US made sharp inroads into US domestic automobile and electronics' markets during the decade. Fierce competition with Japan and other Asian countries contributed to the yawning US trade deficits - when the value of US imports exceeds the value of its exports - and fueled a wave of protectionist sentiment in the US Congress.
"Moreover, this economic war between the US and Japan triggered and embolden the European Common Market by allowing it to form alliances on the mainland that became strong, strong competitive factors that were beginning to leave the British behind because of their reluctance to join the EU as a full partner. This, of course was over the currency issue raging between Conservative and Liberal parliaments and has yet to be settled.
"Southeast Asia's success seemed to vindicate certain economic policies that the US had largely shunned. Those policies gave Asian governments a large hand in shaping the marketplace. Asian bureaucrats took a leadership role in promoting certain industries and businesses and maturing them with tax credits or outright subsidies. Rather than allow the ravages of the free market to determine which businesses should succeed government leaders picked winners and ensured their prosperity."
Tags: IMF, International Monetary Fund, Japan, Thailand, Korea, Banking, Speculation
