Asian Century... on a Knife edge

In his recent book, "Asian Century … on a Knife-edge," John West questions the conventional wisdom that the 21st century will belong to Asia. He argues that in recent years many observers have succumbed to a case of “Asian-Century hype.” In reality, Asia is suffering from stunted economic and social development. John identifies seven economic, social, political and geopolitical challenges for realising an Asian Century, but doubts that Asia’s leading economies have the political will to tackle these challenges. Further, he identifies numerous possible sources of economic, social, and political crisis.

Nevertheless, the Indo-Pacific of the 21st century is becoming increasingly dominated by Asia’s emerging giants - China, India and Indonesia - which have some of the world's largest economies. John argues that these countries are fragile superpowers whose power derives mainly from their enormous populations. Even by mid-century, they will still be well behind advanced countries like the US, Japan and Germany in terms of economic, business, and technological sophistication. But this has not stopped the rise of strategic competition between an increasingly distracted US and a growingly assertive China, despite the latter's domestic fragilities. Countries like Australia face great challenges in adapting to this new strategic environment.

John's book has received many reviews, including one by Professor Aurelia George Mulgan of the University of New South Wales, published by the Australian Institute of International Affairs in Australian Outlook.

*** Capacity at the venue is limited and door sales may not be available. Pre-purchase tickets early via the blue "GET TICKETS" button below to avoid disappointment! This event is being held at the University Club Case Study Room on level 1 ***

About the Speaker

John West has had a long career as an educator, journalist, researcher and policy-maker. He currently teaches Asia’s economic development at Sophia University. He is a contributing editor for FDI-Intelligence, a Financial Times magazine, and is also executive director of the Asian Century Institute. These current positions follow major stints at the Australian Treasury as director of balance of payments (1980–86), the OECD as head of public affairs and director of the OECD Forum (1986–2008) and at the Asian Development Bank Institute as senior consultant for capacity-building and training (2009–11).