Gathering cross-cultural knowledge of Monsoon Asia’s ‘diverse economy’
Monday, June 15, 2015: 5:30 PM
Lisa Law1, Katherine Gibson2, Nay Win Oo3, Darlene Occena-Gutierrez4 and Ann Hill2, (1)James Cook University, Environment, Geography & Sustainability Group, College of Marine & Environmental Sciences, Cairns, Australia, (2)University of Western Sydney, Institute for Culture and Society, Penrith, Australia, (3)University of Yangon, Department of Geography, Yangon, Myanmar, (4)University of the Philippines, Department of Geography, Quezon City, Philippines
Abstract:
Sharing, reciprocity and resource pooling are at the frontline of recovery and relief when economic crisis or disaster hits Monsoon Asia. This paper is an early reflection on research setting out to chart this "hidden economic geography" of the region using the theory of community economies developed by Gibson-Graham. Gibson-Graham’s re-thinking and theorising of the economy as diverse distinguishes economic practices associated with capitalism (waged labour, capitalist enterprise and market transactions) as just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the activity that sustains livelihoods. The research investigates cases where diverse economic practices have been innovatively harnessed to diversify livelihoods and build economic resilience in Monsoon Asia, with specific case studies from Myanmar and the Philippines. We reflect on some of the methods for the project, including careful re-readings of mid-20th century tropical geography texts and the formation of an online cross-regional knowledge community.
