Introduction
This website is to share information to understand the various problems and issues facing the Global South and the Global Society and to envision a social environment where each individual can live with dignity and autonomy.
Profile
Kazuhiro Ota, PhD
Professor, Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, Kobe University
Majors: Philippine Area Studies, Development Studies, Comparative Politics, Security Studies
Lecture: Global Development Policy, Peace Studies, Political Science, etc.
My interest are in: Development Studies, and Philippine Area Studies.
Research
I am interested in the political economy of developing countries. While I have been involved in area studies which look into “particularity” of the Philippines society, I have also engaged in Development Studies which argue “universality” of the world. Peace Studies and Security issues, especially those in the Asian region, are also my interests.
Philippine Studies
The research interests are in the political and social structure of the Philippines, especially the poverty situation and the related government policies, as well as social movements. Recently, he has also been working on issues of democracy in the Philippines.
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Development Studies
Research of poverty concepts, poverty measures, and development policies from a critical perspective. I have considered of those issues, criticizing modernization approaches and strategies.
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Security Issues
The global security situation in changing dramatically in recent years. In Asia occur major challenges such as nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula, China's expansionism, and the vital role of ASEAN. It is important to avoid conflicts and nourish peaceful cooperation in the region.
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Current Research Projects
-Research on Philippine Historical Concsiousness
-Labor Issues of the Philippines
-Democracy of Developing Countries
Education
We hope that students get aware that they are an essential participant of the society. The are expected to develop critical thinking and autonomously active attitude. While learning a wide range of knowledge in an interdisciplinary manner, we cultivate the ability to engage practically in the realities of the world. It is difficult to achieve it alone so that learning through community or peers study would be pursued.
Seminar Activities
Discussion with English textbooks and papers about Comparative Politics and Development Studies is the basic activity in the seminar class. We learn about the current issues, practices, and theories of the Global South. In addition, we regularly read and discuss the of social science classics to acquire new perspectives and insights. If conditions allow, we conduct field research abroad and write a research paper.
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Off-Campus Activities
Social activities off the campus. It is important for everyone to learn and discuss what we do not know as well as what we think we know. Dialogue is the supreme activity of humankind.
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Social Activities
It is important to get involved in practical activities while utilizing our expertise. The social science requires to think in tension with social reality, keeping future anticipation in our mind.
International Cooperation and Fair Trade
As an extension of my development research, I have been involved in international cooperation activities, especially fair trade, for over 20 years.
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Solidarity in Asia
We are interested not only in Asia, but also in the the Global South at large.
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Other Activities
Beyond the academic research interests, it is important to get involved in various social activities.
・Symposion
・Kobe University Trade Union
Eyes of Mosquito
note
"Mosquitoes and Flies bear the mountain" (by Zhuangzi, Chinese philosopher who lived around the 4th century BC) is a metaphor for a powerless person shouldered a heavy burden. It is also an expression of regret written by Shoin Yoshida in his "Ryukonroku" (The Message with Spirit), who fell in the middle of his ambition. However, "mosquitoes and flies let cattle run" is a phrase meaning the powerless can change great things when they cooperate. The spirit of "mosquitoes and flies" is important. My essays here are based on what I see and feel in my daily life.
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