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Southeast Asia as an Open System: Geo-politics and Economic Geography

Dick, H ; Kratoska, PH ; Raben, R ; Schulte Nordholt, H (Brill, 2005-01-01)

In the aftermath of World War II when geographer Charles Fisher wrote the above passage, Southeast Asia was for western scholars an exciting new idea.' It has since become part of the accepted structure for interpreting a complex world. The substance of Southeast Asia, however, is still elusive. As Fisher recognised, too much about it does not fit any simple formulation. Mathematically, Fisher's problem is clarified by the distinction between closed and open sets. Closed sets, being exclusive, need rigorous scientific specification. Open sets express commonalities without precluding membership of overlapping sets. In area studies the problem of defining regions arises primarily because academics are wont to form Southeast Asia as an Open System exclusive clubs defined by disciplinary and language expertise.