Colonialism in Southeast Asia6b. Colonialism in Southeast Asia is not just about restructuring local society for the sole purpose of economic progress, and not always with tragic consequences. Due to incentives, Western colonialists came to Southeast Asia for political and humanitarian reasons. Furthermore, colonial rule has always had tragic consequences. The main factor responsible for colonialism in Southeast Asia was largely political, particularly the growing influence of other Western powers in Southeast Asia. Western powers were aware that while economic wealth could lead to political influence, this was necessary to safeguard the latter. Essentially, these two forces are interdependent on each other. So when Western powers realized that the economic benefits of trade in Southeast Asia were immense, they realized that it was also important to establish political authority in the region. Consequently, the “forward movement” and the rise of the “new imperialism” in the West, particularly in Europe, led to a frenzied rush for colonies, especially in Southeast Asia. For example, the British initially adhered to a policy of non-intervention in Malaya. However, they feared the prospect of German intervention in Malaya. After Chancellor Bismarck reunified Germany in 1871, rumors swirled that the Germans wanted to secure a naval station in the Pangkor region, as part of their plans to increase their influence beyond the Europe. Thus, to defend their economic interests, the British opted for a policy of intervention. The Western powers find themselves in the middle of paper... distinct, formal and impartial institutions, a clearly defined bureaucratic function, standard procedures and enormous quantities of paper. Western-style education and administrative skills were now required to enter public service, in contrast to the old administrative system, which relied on connections and bribes. For example, in French Indochina, more precisely in Vietnam, knowledge of the French language became a prerequisite for admission to the mandarinate in Tonkin, Annam and Siam, instead of an assigned ranking, modern education was the scale of access to promotions within the civil service. that colonialism in Southeast Asia involves restructuring local society for the sole purpose of progress, and that it often leads to tragic consequences, I disagree..