Problems of Socialism in South East Asia

Abstract

South East Asia is a vast fragmented tropical area occupying the southern fringe of the Asian continent between India and China. It extends more than 3,000 miles east to west, and 2,000 north to south. The population of over 225 million is growing with explosive force, and is expected to more than double before the end of the century. Seventy-five to 80 per cent of the people are still engaged in agriculture, and primitive methods, inadequate education, the absence of incentives, landlordism and lack of capital spell very low living standards. All the countries of the region, with the exception of Thailand (which was never colonized), have attained political independence since the Second World War.