There is a view that economic growth is the determinant of survival of a country;
therefore, the country needs to focus on economic growth. Following this concept,
many countries have achieved high levels of economic growth, but now face social
problems. According to many researchers, the development of China in recent years
has followed this model. Policy priorities have focused on economic development for
more than twenty years of reform and “opening up”, and China's economy has
achieved a high growth rate; indeed the country ranks as top growth economy in the
world. Many issues have arisen, however, that are the social consequences of
excessive concentration on economic growth in China, such as an uneven harmony
between economic development and social development; benefits from the economic
growth not reaching the majority of people; increasing disparity in income and living
standards between social groups, and between regions; serious environmental
destruction due to over-exploiting natural resources.
The biggest challenge facing many countries today is the growing imbalance
between economic development and social development, leading to the potential for
conflict and social crisis, and hampering development. Despite their economic
achievements, socio-economic disparities still exist in ASEAN countries. The biggest
challenge facing these nations is how to sustain a rapid economic growth that reduces
poverty and is socially inclusive. Much work has to be done to uplift the quality of life
of the socially vulnerable groups in the region. In this context, the Declaration of the
Bali Concord II by national leaders during the ASEAN Summit of 2003 committed the
ASEAN Community to fostering cooperation in social development, aimed at raising
the standard of living, and seek the active involvement of all sectors of society, in
particular women, youth, and local communities. ASEAN also puts emphasis on the
need to address issues relating to poverty, inequality, ageing populations and
unemployment as these issues not only need social responses, but could also have
economic implications.
ASEAN cooperation in the area of social development is continuing its effort to
address the social risks faced by children, women, the elderly and disabled people.
This matches the objectives of the region’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).At the Millennium Summit in September 2000, the largest gathering of world leaders
in history adopted the United Nations Millennium Declaration, committing their
nations to a new global partnership to reduce extreme poverty, and setting out a series
of targets with a deadline of 2015.
This paper is an overview of the imbalance of economic and social development in
ASEAN. Social development must be viewed as an end in itself and not just a means
for attaining economic growth. Growing socioeconomic inequality often triggers
crime and political and civil unrest. Section 1 discusses the evolution of
socio-economic imbalances in ASEAN. Section 2 analyzes the causes of the
imbalance while Section 3 examines the policy and actions taken by ASEAN
countries. Section 4 concludes with a brief discussion and policy recommendations.