How did Asian states and peoples try to achieve better lives across the twentieth century, and how far did they succeed? Modern discussions of development concentrate on the importance of enhancing personal capabilities and human development, rather than on simple economic growth. The comparative history of colonial Asian countries, both before and after political independence, shows the range of economic, political, social, and environmental conditions necessary for such improvements. Increases in life expectancy across the range of countries are a useful metric to compare public health and the supply of basic needs. Countering endemic disease – especially malaria – has played an important part here. One key to success in the fight against malaria has been the ability of states, local authorities, and communities to provide support-based security to those who require it. Some colonial Asian countries have been better at this than others and have prospered accordingly.

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人类发展的政治经济学：亚洲殖民地，1900-2000

亚洲国家和人民在二十世纪如何努力过上更好的生活？他们取得了多大成功？现代关于发展的讨论集中于提高个人能力和人类发展的重要性，而不是简单的经济增长。亚洲殖民地国家在政治独立之前和之后的比较历史显示了这种改善所需的经济、政治、社会和环境条件的范围。各国预期寿命的增长是比较公共卫生和基本需求供应的有用指标。对抗地方病——特别是疟疾——在这里发挥了重要作用。抗击疟疾取得成功的关键之一是各州、地方当局的能力，和社区为有需要的人提供基于支持的安全保障。一些亚洲殖民地国家在这方面比其他国家做得更好，并因此实现了繁荣。