Abstract
This paper discusses the globalization trend in the Southeast Asian region, highlighting policies undertaken by Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Japan. Each country is examined in detail, using recent statistics and research to support the discussion. Also discussed are the obstacles they face in adopting these policies.

From the Paper
"Globalisation can be defined as the ongoing economic, technological, social, and political integration of the world that began after the Second World War. However, there are also institutional and social changes that are taking place within the geographic borders of nation states, though these are much more difficult to quantify. Institutional changes include modifications in policy, in industrial organization, and in the administration of laws and regulations that govern the behavior of economic agents. Globalization is impacting the institutional framework in both developing and industrial countries; it is changing the way in which governments view their developmental role in society (ADB, 2001, p.161). This essay aims to discuss the globalization trend in the Southeast Asian region, highlighting policies undertaken by Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Japan. It also discusses the obstacles they face in adopting globalization."

Tags:adopt, australia, cash, economy, fiscal, gdp, growth, interest, monetary, policy, problem, rate, world

Abstract
This paper examines the different social status and gender positions portrayed in seven dramas from Chinese theater of the Yuan period. The Yuan dynasty was the period of Mongol rule in China. The dramas included portrayals of a wide range of social classes- rich, poor, officials, beggars, women, men and many more. It shows how women had a lower social status then men and were held in lower regard. Those of a higher status were mostly officials who had access to power and money while in contrast, the lower classes had to work hard for a living and face many injustices. It aims to bring forth the idea that the playwrights used these differences to illustrate moral ideas about good and evil.

From the Paper
"The status of scholars and those who become officials by passing the exam is clearly illustrated here. The Chang family held scholars and officials in high regard and considered it a source of pride and social status to have a son-in-law who is an official. This could be attributed to the fact that the imperial examination was a way for someone from the lower class to raise the position of his family and himself in the social hierarchy. Passing the examination and becoming an official was to bring great honor and prestige to the family. Understandably, to gain a son-in-law who was an official would also bring prestige to the Chang family and perhaps validate or improve their social status."

Tags:art, china, chinese, culture, dynasty, society

Abstract
This paper examines the differences and similarities of consumer behavior in Japan and Indonesia in terms of their natural system, political system, economic system, social system, knowledge system, educational system, executive system and marketing system. Marketing implications are also provided.

From the Paper
"It can be argued that Indonesia and Japan are two of most attractive markets in Asia. Indonesia has a fast growing population and Japan can be considered as the most developed Asian country. This paper will analyze, evaluate and note differences and similarities of the natural system, political system, economic system, social system, knowledge system, educational system, executive system and marketing system of Indonesia and Japan. Consumer behavior topics and marketing implications relevant to the systems mentioned above will also be discussed in details. It is believed that changes in consumer behavior in both countries over the recent years will help marketers to analyze consumers' increasing influence, to educate and protect consumers, formulate public and personal policy."

Tags:behavior, consumer, indonesia, japan

Abstract
The paper explores the contemporary relevance and use of Confucius' three central themes: the promotion of ethical values, a commitment to learning and self-education, and the preference for harmony and peace. The paper demonstrates how Confucianism has been applied by the governments of Southeast states such as Singapore, East Asian countries such as China, and global institutions such as the UN. The paper therefore concludes that Confucianism does have contemporary relevance.

From the Paper
"Confucius' fundamental ethical values show much applicability to the modern world. Confucius was largely concerned not with moral acts, but with moral character. One could argue that Confucian ethical values aren't relevant to the contemporary world as benevolence and other ethical virtues being the most important values of a government official aren't realistic enough. However, Confucius argued that all men, not just government officials, should seek to be better, more virtuous men. Confucius once said: 'I set my heart on the way, base myself on virtue, lean upon benevolence for support and take recreation in the arts'. Although he believed benevolence to be the most important virtue for a man to seek, he also believed strongly in five core values: propriety; li, filial propriety; xiao, humanity; ren, righteousness; yi, and loyalty; zhong. These ethical values are still very much so relevant in contemporary times. It has been said that there is still much relevance in China, in particular, for benevolence, righteousness and propriety."

Tags:ethics, learning, self-education, harmony, peace

Abstract
This paper argues that the motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity) has indeed affected the cultural expressions of Indonesians in many different ways, including politically. Further, the paper argues that rather than seeing this maxim as negative and oppressive it has in reality given Indonesia a unique flavour that may be savoured despite the difficulties the country has faced and despite the apparent hijacking of the motto?s cornerstone, the Pancasila (five national principles), by Suharto?s Orde Baru (New Order). It is also argued that, although there are many challenges faced by its many different cultures, the nation?s strive for unity has not meant the suppression of their individual expression.

Tags:consultation, gotong, javanese, pancasila, pki, royong, suharto, sukarno

Abstract
This essay discusses Japan, in terms of culture, as well as attractions. It explores possible reasons for tourists being reluctant to visit Japan. The paper then offers unique ideas on how Japan could market tourism to other areas of the world, in order to encourage tourists to visit.

From the Paper
"Despite Japan's facade of modernity, from its city skylines and "Bullet Trains" to its millions of people who seem to have high-tech cell phones glued to their ears, traditional Japan still exists in a huge network of inns and restaurants, and in arts, crafts and customs that have not changed in over a thousand years. The deceptive thing about Tokyo is that it seems surprisingly Western on the surface with Western looking buildings, McDonald's franchises and kids listening to rap music. It seems like you might as well be in Los Angeles. Yet you don't need to dig very deep to discover the Japanese soul beneath the Western facade. One of the most appealing aspects of travelling in Japan is the richness of culture that can be encountered. Advertisement should grasp that despite Japan's apparent Western aspirations, it is uniquely Japanese. "

Tags:advertisement, japan, japanese, tourism, tourist

Abstract
This paper shows that Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Korea have been identified as the five best performing Asian economies, having grown twice as fast as other East Asian economies since the 1960's - 1980's. This essay identifies and discusses a range of reasons for the rapid economic growth rates of the economies of these countries. Arguments are supported by statements by different economists and statistical tables.

From the Paper
"At the end of World War II, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore were war-shattered, largely resource-poor areas with rapidly growing populations and very low living standards. By the 1980s, Japan had become one of the world's richest countries and the others had achieved or were approaching income levels of developed nations (FCJ Editors, 1998). South Korea has jumped from being a developing nation to the status of advanced industrial nation. South Korea and Taiwan have recently made the leap to democracy. Hong Kong, probably the most freewheeling economic region in the world, was incorporated into the People's Republic of China on July 1, 1997. Singapore is an economic leader of all of South East Asia."

Tags:gdp, macroeconomic, recession

Abstract
This paper explores three major arguments of the roots of insurgency targeting in contemporary South East Asia and further demonstrates the implications of secessionist struggles for national states and the South East Asian region as a whole.

From the Paper
"An insurgency is an organized, armed political struggle whose goal may be the seizure of power through revolutionary takeover and replacement of the existing government (Pye in Eckstein 1980, p. 159). Insurgencies are not sudden events and can be considered as a nation at war. As outlined by Thornton, insurgent activities including guerrilla warfare, terrorism, and political mobilization, are designed to accomplish specific social, economic, and political reforms (in Eckstein 1980, p. 89). In some cases, however, an insurgency's goals may be more limited. For example, the insurgency may intend to break away from government control and this is commonly known as secession."

Tags:struggle, nation

Abstract
A discussion of the reasons for the decline of the mainline denominations from the 1960s to the 1980s in Australia. The paper explores how the churches have responded to this phenomenon. The major religions discussed include Chrisianity's streams of Anglican and Catholic, as well as Methodist and Protestant.

From the Paper
"After experiencing a period of steady growth and an ongoing important place in the Australian community during the 1950s and the 'remembered 60s' the mainline denominations found themselves losing numbers and influence from this point on, beginning a decline that would last throughout the eighties. According to Hilliard The 'remembered sixties' are from1964 or 1965 to 1972 in Australia (p.210). In 1961 Protestants including Anglicans accounted for 65 per cent of the population, by 1986 this was 40 per cent (Breward p.226) and by 1996 had dropped a further 2%. In the state of Victoria from 1961 to 1986 the percentage of Anglicans in the total population fell from 6.11 per cent to 4.40. Likewise Methodists and Presbyterians combined dropped from 5.28 per cent to 3.70 in the same period. (Australians: Historical Statistics, Wray Vamplew (ed.), Sydney 1987, cited in Hilliard, 1997). As for the Roman Catholic Church, Australian Sunday Mass attendance figures fell from 55 per cent to 37 per cent in the period 1966 to 1981. (Campion p.248)."

Tags:church, deline, denominations, growth, mainline

Abstract
This essay examines the content of Pre-Qin Chinese religious thinking, namely the religions of the Shang and Zhou dynasty. It explores the forces, which according to the religious beliefs of the Shang and Zhou people, controlled the human and non-human world. It shows that, according to these beliefs, the two worlds mentioned above co-existed and affected one another. Subsequently, the essay reveals that the ancient Chinese ideas about cosmic order and disorder were very closely related to the political domain.

From the Paper
"However, at the same time, it can be argued that the human world also controlled, or at least affected, the non-human world. The term "non-human" can be defined very broadly. It simply means "anything that is not human". The people of the Shang Dynasty believed that natural happenings such as storms, droughts, comets or eclipses were affected by human conduct. They were seen as warnings sent by the heavens, so that "human beings especially rulers might reform their personal conduct as well as their conduct of government." It is clear that there was a belief that the behavior of the human world would affect the happenings of the non-human world- bad behavior would cause natural disasters."

Tags:ideas, religious, supernatural, Shangdi, Confucius