Economic History: Emerging Asia - Economic Transformation in East and South East Asia

The course explores and explains the historical processes of rapid industrialisation and socio-economic modernisation in Pacific Asia.

First, fundamental factors and forces behind the rise of Asia’s first industrial nation, Japan, are analysed. Japan is also contrasted against the early failures of modernisation in Imperial China.

Secondly, explanations are provided for the emergence of Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong as Newly Industrialised Countries after 1960.

Thirdly, the more recent industrial development in South East Asia is studied, with particular reference to current trends and forces of globalisation in the region.

Themes such as agricultural modernisation, rural industrialisation, expansion of trade, impact of foreign investments and patterns of regional integration are explored and evaluated. Concepts such as developmental state, export-led growth, and growth with equity are employed and critically analysed.