Understanding Asian Capitalism

For the past 40 years, the world has observed the remarkable economic success of Asia. Deeply embedded networks of business groups, powerful families, and governments have been key factors in this success. However, the 21st century has brought some very pressing challenges that may reveal flaws and shortcomings of the Asian model of economic development. While some believe this will be Asia’s century, others are less convinced that its networks and formats will prove a sustainable basis for future development.

This event will feature Stéphanie Balme, professor and researcher who focuses on China as an emerging scientific power, Simon Commander, advisor/professor on emerging economies, and Saul Estrin, professor of managerial economics.

They will discuss how Asia has managed to grow and develop: what its prospects are for the coming decades; and whether the 21st century will belong to Asia or will expose major fragilities to its model of economic development.

Biographies

Stéphanie Balme is Professor at PSIA, Research Director at CERI (Center for International Studies) and Dean of Sciences Po Undergraduate College. She is a member of EURICS (European Institute of China Studies) as well as vice-president of ECLS (EU-China Law Studies Association). She is a former Visiting Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (2003-2006) then at Tsinghua University Law School in Beijing (2006-2012). She has been a consultant for various international organizations such as the World Bank, the OECD, the IMF or the European Union. Her research now focuses on China as an emerging scientific power, the concept of “science diplomacy”, EU-US-China relations, EU’s China foreign policy as well as the role of social sciences and humanities in the development of AI.

Simon Commander is Managing Partner of Altura Partners providing policy advice to governments and companies in emerging economies. He is also Visiting Professor of Economics at IE Business School in Madrid. From 1998 to 2011 he worked at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London and from 1988-1998 at the World Bank in Washington DC.

Saul Estrin was the founding Head of the Department of Management at LSE and formerly Professor of Economics and Associate Dean at London Business School. He researches in international business and entrepreneurship, especially with reference to emerging economies. He is former President of the European Association for Comparative Economic Systems and a Fellow of the Academy of International Business.