2-b Report on the Second Seminar on Structure and Change of the Economy of the Islamic World

 

Date & Time: Saturday, July 24, 1999, 10:30-3:00

Place: Meiji University

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Global Trends in Development Assistance and their Relationship to Japan/Philippines Relations, Democratization in Mindanao, Peace Negotiations, and Development Issues

 TAMAKI, Matsuo (Utsunomiya University)

 

This presentation, based on a field study conducted on Mindanao Island during February and March of 1999, discussed the human rights, democratization and development conditions related to the peace accord reached in September of 1996 between the Philippine government and the MNLF. The results of this survey showed that although there has been progress made with regards to the pacification of the area, there has been little progress made in the area of development. Conditions related to the high unemployment of former MNLF soldiers are particularly grave. Due to the fact that Japanese ODA is expected to increase in scale, a critical stage has been reached concerning the concrete conditions attached to provision of assistance.

 

After the presentation, the discussion turned to the reasons why the unemployment of former soldiers is such an important issue in socio-economic development of the Generats Santos area, and in the democratization movement in the Philippines as a whole.

 

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The Economics of Islam and Capitalism

  MIZUSHIMA, Kitao (The University of Tokushima)

 

Inspired by recent theories and discussions, Mr. Mizushima has produced a working paper entitled, "The Economics of Islam and Capitalism: A Comparison of the Concepts of the Economic Systems of Bakir Sadoru and Adam Smith." (February, 1999). This presentation was based on this text, which explored the similarities and differences between the major economic concepts used by classical economics and related schools, and Bakir Sadoru, an Islamic economic theorist. A more detailed comparison was made between these two points of view, and the possibility of a dialogue between them was considered. The discussion covered many subjects, including industrial capital, commercial capital and currency reserve capital. Although it was not found necessary to come to an immediate conclusion concerning these matters, it was later discussed that it is necessary to consider the degree of Islamization of each micro-economic area (cooperatives, for example) when considering the issue of whether it is possible to create an overall Islamic economic system. It was agreed that due to the importance of this theme, it is necessary to have deeper discussions on this subject.

 

(Report by SHIMIZU, Manabu)