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How Asia Works
Book

How Asia Works

Success and Failure in the World’s Most Dynamic Region

Grove, 2013 mais...


Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Innovative

Recommendation

In the 1980s, economists popularized the term the “East Asian miracle,” thus feeding the belief that Asian countries have had homogeneous economic experiences. They have not, according to journalist and Asia expert Joe Studwell. China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea implemented their ultimately successful strategies years before any discussion of the “East Asian miracle.” They reformed their agricultural sectors, focused on manufacturing and then subordinated finance activities to these two priorities. Studwell challenges the belief that countries should leave economic development to market forces. He uses economic history to show that almost every advanced economy used protectionism at some stage to boost growth. He cites East Asia’s remarkable record to show why poor countries must remain steadfast in pursuing their goals, unswayed by trendy economic advice or pressure from their own entrepreneurs. getAbstract recommends Studwell’s comprehensive, rigorous and thought-provoking analysis to policy makers, historians, investors and economists intrigued by “the world’s most dynamic region.”

Take-Aways

  • East Asian economic history suggests that successful development requires agricultural reforms, export-oriented manufacturing and a financial sector aligned to both.
  • China, Japan, Taiwan and Korea took these steps long before the “East Asian Miracle” discussions in the 1980s.
  • Other Asian countries suffered because they failed to implement similar policies.

About the Author

Journalist Joe Studwell has published several books on Asia.


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