ABSTRACT
Southeast Asia is typically presented as a development success story. Since the collapse of colonialism most countries have experienced significant improvements in health, education, incomes and opportunities, and boast swelling middle classes. There are many challenges ahead, particularly in terms of positioning itself alongside the neighboring political economies of India and China; however, the future of the region is generally considered to be bright. Southeast Asian imaginaries proliferate through maps, tourism, media and geopolitical strategies; however, it is unlikely that a strong Southeast Asian identity has swept through the diverse populations that make up the region. This chapter suggests that economic development, and the mobility it relies on, is an uneven and relational process. It shows how processes such as agrarian transition, resettlement policies and environmental destruction have particular impacts on ethnic minority and indigenous groups. This introduction also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book.
