Mitigating Inequality in the Development of Special Economic Zones in Asia : Risks, Rules and Recipes

The development of special economic zones (SEZs) in Asia has attracted foreign investments and ensured spectacular economic growth at the (sub-)national level. While their competitiveness has initially been marked by deregulation, their integration into the global value chains as well as international financial markets has triggered a number of regulatory agendas and perspectives to ensure their sustainable development. Respect for the international rule of law would improve urban governance, corporate responsibility and even promote the role of civil society in mitigating the various socio-economic and environmental risks that have accompanied the fast development of Asian SEZs. Tackling labour protection/migration, adequate/affordable housing as well as environmental pollution has become a common concern amongst those share- and stakeholders. The ever-widening socio-economic gap between groups within societies, however, is immune to those regulatory approaches and has opened the floor for religious, ethnic, ethical, nationalist and anti-globalist discourses to justify and/or contest inevitable inequality