Urban poverty is one of the most persistent challenges faced by rapidly urbanizing societies in the Global South. Cities promise economic opportunity, social mobility, and access to modern infrastructure, yet for millions of urban residents these promises remain unfulfilled. Manila in the Philippines and Jakarta in Indonesia are two prominent examples of megacities where rapid … Read more
Introduction Civil society has long been recognized as a crucial arena where citizens organize, express dissent, and negotiate power with the state. In Thailand, student protests have repeatedly emerged as one of the most dynamic expressions of civil society, particularly during moments of political crisis and democratic transition. From the 1970s to the contemporary youth-led … Read more
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, presents a complex and fascinating relationship between religion and politics. With more than 270 million people belonging to diverse religious, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, Indonesia has developed a political system that seeks to balance religious influence with democratic governance. The interaction between Islam, state power, nationalism, and pluralism has … Read more
Introduction Southeast Asia is one of the most ethnically diverse regions in the world. From the Malays of Malaysia and Indonesia to the Thais, Burmese, Vietnamese, Filipinos, and hundreds of indigenous groups, the region represents a complex mosaic of cultures, languages, religions, and traditions. This diversity has shaped social structures, political systems, economic relations, and … Read more
Introduction East Asia has long been viewed as a region of cultural homogeneity, strong national identities, and limited immigration. Countries such as Japan, China, South Korea, and Taiwan historically emphasized ethnic unity and social cohesion. However, rapid economic growth, globalization, labor shortages, and demographic decline have transformed East Asia into an increasingly migrant-receiving region. Alongside … Read more
Introduction East Asia is one of the most economically dynamic and culturally rich regions in the world. China, Japan, and South Korea are not only major economic powers but also societies with deep historical roots, shared cultural traditions, and complex political relationships. Regional cooperation among these three countries has become increasingly important in addressing economic … Read more
Introduction The role of women in Confucian cultures has been a central topic in sociological debates on gender, family, morality, and social order in East Asia. Confucianism, as a moral–philosophical system, has historically shaped social institutions, kinship patterns, education, governance, and everyday life across societies such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam. While often … Read more
Introduction South Korea is often described as one of the most technologically advanced societies in the world. High-speed internet, near-universal smartphone usage, cutting-edge electronics manufacturing, and digitally integrated everyday life have transformed how people communicate, work, learn, and form social relationships. From smart classrooms and online gaming cultures to AI-driven services and digital governance, technology … Read more
Introduction Work culture plays a decisive role in shaping individual identities, social relationships, and overall well-being. In East Asia—particularly in countries such as Japan, South Korea, China, and Taiwan—work culture is deeply embedded in historical traditions, economic development models, and collective social values. While this region has achieved remarkable economic growth and global competitiveness, it … Read more
Introduction China’s One-Child Policy, introduced in 1979, remains one of the most ambitious and controversial social engineering projects in modern history. Implemented to control rapid population growth after decades of high fertility rates, the policy profoundly reshaped Chinese society. While its demographic and economic consequences have been widely discussed, the social effects of the One-Child … Read more