The Kozmetsky center of Excellence in Global Finance
Highlights from UPDATE: ASIA
Co-sponsored by the Center on Japanese Economy and Business, Columbia University
Leading experts on Asia recently visited St. Edward’s University and spoke to a full house on Asia’s economic and political environment and its impact on the United States. Topics included the relationship between democracy and economic development, current business opportunities for U.S. corporations and Asian economic trends.
- Hugh T. Patrick, Director, Center on Japanese Economy and Business Columbia University, Co-Director, APEC Study Center;
- Ann Marie Murphy, Whitehead School of Diplomacy & International Relations, Seton Hall University
- Arthur M. Mitchell, former General Counsel, Asian Development Bank; former private secretary to Japan's Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira; Senior Counselor, White & Case, LLP
- Jennifer Amyx, Department of Political Science, University of Pennsylvania
- Harry Harding, University Professor of International Affairs, George Washington University; Director of Research and Analysis, Eurasia Group
Hugh T. Patrick
Director, Center on Japanese Economy and Business, Columbia University
Co-Director, APEC Study Center
Patrick discusses the early stages of East Asian development—and how the primary drive was economics, not politics. He also talks about how governments are now working to create stronger political infrastructures to support their economies and focusing on building more cooperation among Asian countries given their economic interdependence.
Ann Marie Murphy
Whitehead School of Diplomacy & International Relations, Seton Hall University
Murphy focuses on the relationship between economic development and democracy in Southeast Asia. She highlights specific examples where democracy was adopted along with economic growth, including South Korea and Taiwan, as well as countries that have not embraced democracy, such as Thailand and Indonesia, which were among two of the fastest growing economies in the world during the late 1980s - early 1990s.
Arthur M. Mitchell
Former General Counsel, Asian Development Bank
Former private secretary to Japan's Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira
Senior Counselor, White & Case, LLP
Mitchell discusses the economic opportunities for U.S. corporations in different regions of Asia. He highlights the challenges in some Asian countries, including trade regulations, sluggish consumer markets and limited natural resources, as well as emphasizes countries where positive investment opportunities exist, such as Japan, China and India.
Jennifer Amyx
Department of Political Science, University of Pennsylvania
Amyx focuses on recent developments in Japan’s political economy, namely Japan’s changing strategy from a closed financial system to more open foreign investment opportunities. She also discusses developments relating to broader Asia, specifically ASEAN Plus Three, a group that includes China, Japan and Korea, as well as the Southeast Asian countries.
Harry Harding
University Professor of International Affairs, George Washington University
Director of Research and Analysis, Eurasia Group
Harding talks about the major economic trends in Asia and how they pose both challenges and opportunities for the United States. Some trends discussed include shifting balances of power, transnational security issues and building institutions.