This volume explores Malaysian business in the era that began with the Asian financial crisis of 1997-1999. The contributions, by a broad range of international experts, are informed by a wish to identify what Malaysia needs to do to sustain economic growth, remain internationally competitive and further social stability in the post-crisis period. Malaysia's unconventional response to the crisis suggests that its business community has developed a new level of confidence in its ability to adopt and sustain innovative policies even when these strategies challenge the international financial community. This response is perceived as evidence that Malaysian business has indeed entered a new era characterised by a high level of confidence in the nation's capacity to weather the external periodic shocks that are a feature of the current wave of globalisation. The book argues that there are grounds for optimism in this regard while recognising that the true test will occur when Malaysia is compelled to confront a major decline in its international export markets brought on by a truly major crisis such as an OECD-wide recession. Business scholars and professionals as well as readers interested in Asian business and economics will find this volume informative.

This volume explores Malaysian business in the era that began with the Asian financial crisis of 1997-1999. The contributions, by a broad range of international experts, are informed by a wish to identify what Malaysia needs to do to sustain economic growth, remain internationally competitive and further social stability in the post-crisis period. Malaysia's unconventional response to the crisis suggests that its business community has developed a new level of confidence in its ability to adopt and sustain innovative policies even when these strategies challenge the international financial community. This response is perceived as evidence that Malaysian business has indeed entered a new era characterised by a high level of confidence in the nation's capacity to weather the external periodic shocks that are a feature of the current wave of globalisation. The book argues that there are grounds for optimism in this regard while recognising that the true test will occur when Malaysia is compelled to confront a major decline in its international export markets brought on by a truly major crisis such as an OECD-wide recession. Business scholars and professionals as well as readers interested in Asian business and economics will find this volume informative.

This multi-disciplinary book provides a comprehensive analysis of the EU-India relationship from 1950 to the present day, as a way of assessing whether a meaningful and sustainable relationship is emerging and whether it will play a role in the future of international diplomacy and business.The question comes at a time of significant changes in the re-configuration of global power. Using both historical insights and contemporary policy analysis, the authors investigate whether the social, economic and political interests of the EU and India are genuinely compatible. Leaders in both regions have been promoting the relationship for many decades, but the authors scrutinize their words to discover whether they are merely rhetorical gestures or reflect genuine complementarities. They also investigate the motivation behind the relationship, and provide an in-depth analysis of the areas of mutual interest and conflict. The book examines these issues in the context of the history of the EU-India relationship, alongside contemporary policy concerns. This comparative book will appeal to academics, students and policy-makers with an interest in international politics and public policy, economic development and business, Asian studies and European studies. Contents: Introduction: The Problem of EU and India Relations 1. Fearing European Unity and Yearning for Asian Cooperation: The Early Years 2. Indian Lobbying and European Economic Community Dissensions in the 1960s 3. British Entry: Anxiety Embedded 4. The Arrival of Indian Pragmatism 5. The Rise of Asia and India from the 1990s to the 21st Century 6. EU-India Current Perceptions and Implementation Challenges 7. Why European Cows are the Envy of Poor Indian Farmers 8. It Takes Two to Tango: Industry and Foreign Direct Investment 9. EU-INDIA Security Issues: Fundamental Incompatibilities 10. Development Cooperation: Have the Tables turned? Conclusion: The EU-India Relationship in an Era of Dramatic Transformations Index

In a sensitive and compelling account of the lives of those at the very bottom of Indian society, Oliver Mendelsohn and Marika Vicziany explore the construction of the Untouchables as a social and political category, the historical background which led to such a definition, and their position in India today. The authors argue that, despite efforts to ameliorate their condition on the part of the state, a considerable edifice of discrimination persists on the basis of a tradition of ritual subordination. Even now, therefore, it still makes sense to categorise these people as 'Untouchables'. The book promises to make a major contribution to the social and economic debates on poverty, while its wide-ranging perspectives will ensure an interdisciplinary readership from historians of South Asia, to students of politics, economics, religion and sociology.

The September 2001 terrorist attacks shocked the world. But what did they change? In this book Asia specialists from academe and policy think tanks assess the impact of 9/11 on the Asia Pacific. Drawing on unique fieldwork, access to a wide range of documents and inside expertise, the authors consider how old geo-strategic and cultural fault lines have been overlaid with new security threats from state and non-state actors. With chapters on specific countries and regions, defense policies, terrorism, and current and potential conflict zones, this collection critically examines the Asia Pacific region's post-9/11, as well as post-Iraq war, security architecture. The 14 contributors to this volume consider regional and global security in ways that go beyond the narrow focus on nation-states. They examine the 'hardware' of security (WMD, missiles, etc.) without excluding more fundamental issues of governance, identity, religion, economic collaboration, and the destabilizing impact of poverty and disease. The depth and breadth of research provides a wide perspective on security problems in the Asia Pacific. A timely and comprehensive examination of the effects and consequences of September 11 and the war in Iraq, Regional Security in the Asia Pacific is a critical book for political scientists, scholars and policymakers engaged in security and terrorism debates, as well as all those interested in the changing landscape of global relations.

The Cultures of Ancient Xinjiang, Western China: Crossroads of the Silk Roads unveils the ancient secrets of Xinjiang, western China, one of the least known but culturally rich and complex regions located at the heart of Asia. Historically, Xinjiang has been the geographic hub of the Silk Roads, serving international links between cultures to the west, east, north and south. Trade, artefacts, foods, technologies, ideas, beliefs, animals and people have traversed the glacier covered mountain and desert boundaries. Perhaps best known for the Taklamakan desert, whose name translates in the Uyghur language as 'You can go in, you will never come out', here the region is portrayed as the centre of an ancient Bronze Age culture, revealed in the form of the famous Tarim Mummies and their grave goods. Three authoritative chapters by Chinese archaeologists appear here for the first time in English, giving international audiences direct access to the latest research ranging from the central-eastern Xiaohe region to the western valleys of the Bortala and Yili Rivers. Other contributions by European, Australian and Chinese archaeologists address the many complexities of the cultural exchanges that ranged from Mongolia, through to Kashgar, South Asia, Central Asia and finally Europe in pre-modern times.

In a compelling account of the lives of those at the bottom of Indian society, the authors explore the construction of the Untouchables as a social and political category, the historical background that led to such a definition and their position in India today. The authors argue that, despite efforts to ameliorate their condition, a considerable edifice of discrimination persists. The book promises to make a major contribution to the social and economic debates on poverty, while its wide-ranging perspectives will ensure a readership from across the disciplines.

The September 2001 terrorist attacks shocked the world. But what did they change? In this book Asia specialists from academe and policy think tanks assess the impact of 9/11 on the Asia Pacific. Drawing on unique fieldwork, access to a wide range of documents and inside expertise, the authors consider how old geo-strategic and cultural fault lines have been overlaid with new security threats from state and non-state actors. With chapters on specific countries and regions, defense policies, terrorism, and current and potential conflict zones, this collection critically examines the Asia Pacific region's post-9/11, as well as post-Iraq war, security architecture. The 14 contributors to this volume consider regional and global security in ways that go beyond the narrow focus on nation-states. They examine the 'hardware' of security (WMD, missiles, etc.) without excluding more fundamental issues of governance, identity, religion, economic collaboration, and the destabilizing impact of poverty and disease. The depth and breadth of research provides a wide perspective on security problems in the Asia Pacific. A timely and comprehensive examination of the effects and consequences of September 11 and the war in Iraq, Regional Security in the Asia Pacific is a critical book for political scientists, scholars and policymakers engaged in security and terrorism debates, as well as all those interested in the changing landscape of global relations.

Over the last two decades, China's extraordinary rate of economic growth has been driven by the 120-150 million people who have flocked into China's cities from the surrounding countryside in search of a better life. Globalisation and Labour Mobility in China examines the manner in which these people live, work, and interact with their urban cousins. A particular feature of the book is its comparative focus, with interesting parallels drawn between China's experience with mass internal migration and labor market restructuring and the experiences of India, Mexico, and France.

The extraordinary economic performance of Asia is arguably the most important economic phenomenon of the last 50 years. Recovering from the shocks of colonial control, the world of Asian business is a rapidly changing scenario in which home-grown companies compete against multinationals for market share and market access. This collection focuses on the role of entrepreneurship -- both private and state -- in propelling Asian economic growth in the five decades since the end of the World War II. The volume places the familiar names of Asian business in a long term historical and policy context. The 21st century is now being heralded as the 'Asian Century' and this book assists in understanding what has made all this possible.

In a sensitive and compelling account of the lives of those at the very bottom of Indian society, Oliver Mendelsohn and Marika Vicziany explore the construction of the Untouchables as a social and political category, the historical background which led to such a definition, and their position in India today. The authors argue that, despite efforts to ameliorate their condition on the part of the state, a considerable edifice of discrimination persists on the basis of a tradition of ritual subordination. Even now, therefore, it still makes sense to categorise these people as 'Untouchables'. The book promises to make a major contribution to the social and economic debates on poverty, while its wide-ranging perspectives will ensure an interdisciplinary readership from historians of South Asia, to students of politics, economics, religion and sociology.