Democratic dilemma: Communist Vietnam outpaces Indonesia, Philippines
As Communist-led Vietnam laps Southeast Asia's sluggish democracies in growth and foreign capital, ordinary citizens in Jakarta and Manila are left asking an uncomfortable question: Does democracy actually hinder prosperity?
Vietnam's Communist-led economy is outpacing Southeast Asia's democratic nations, leading Indonesians and Filipinos to question if democracy hinders prosperity. Vietnam's steady growth and higher foreign investment draw attention to the contrasting performance of Indonesia and the Philippines. In Indonesia, a lingering nostalgia for the authoritarian rule of former President Soeharto highlights how corruption was once centralized under his leadership.
The 1998 democratic reform, however, has spread corruption to local levels. Indonesia's neighbors, the Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, are also grappling with this paradox. The country has become a key supplier of migrant workers, generating significant remittances. Meanwhile, Indonesia's economy has slowed down, while Vietnam's, under General Secretary To Lam, continues to grow.
Both leaders have strong mandates, yet Vietnam's consolidation of power as both head of state and the Communist Party leader raises concerns about autocratic governance. Critics argue that a popular election result doesn't guarantee a democratic government in practice.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
