Political Economy of Automotive Industrialization in East Asia

East Asia is a powerhouse of automobile production, but national automobile industries have had different patterns of development. This book explains that factors such as market size and neoclassical economic policies alone cannot explain these patterns. It highlights the significance of two sets of factors: countries' capabilities for implementing policies and the political forces that help to explain the emergence of effective institutions. By tracing the divergent trajectories of seven nations, the book offers lessons beyond the automobile industry that illustrate the broader importance of institutions to economic growth.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 384 pages
\n Publication date: 24 September 2021
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
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East Asia is a remarkable hub for automobile production, yet the development of national automobile industries within the region has followed distinct paths. Despite beginning with relatively low performance levels and employing similar strategies, countries have achieved vastly different outcomes. From Thailand's successful role as an assembly hub for foreign automakers to China's unexpected success in building its own car industry, to South Korea's impressive development of an integrated industry, and the Philippines' persistent weakness, these divergent trajectories provide a captivating insight into the factors that shape economic growth.

To unravel the complexities of automotive industrialization in East Asia, The Political Economy of Automotive Industrialization in East Asia offers a political explanation for the uneven development strategies and performance observed within this vital region. Drawing upon extensive interviews and original-language research conducted across multiple nations, this book sheds light on the factors that have contributed to these patterns of development. It challenges the notion that market size and neoclassical economic policies alone can fully account for these disparities. Instead, Richard F. Doner, Gregory W. Noble, and John Ravenhill emphasize the significance of two critical sets of factors: countries' varying capabilities for implementing policies and the political forces that shape the emergence of effective institutions.

Through comprehensive cross-national analyses of China, Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, the book establishes a clear framework for understanding industrial development and its impact on domestic firms' capabilities. Brief comparisons with Brazil, Mexico, and other developing countries further validate the utility of the analytic framework and demonstrate its superiority over accounts in mainstream economics and much of political science.

The Political Economy of Automotive Industrialization in East Asia offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics that drive economic growth and the factors that shape the success of national automobile industries. By examining the diverse paths taken by countries in East Asia, this book provides a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing policymakers and industry executives in this region and beyond.

\n Weight: 612g\n
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 27 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780197520260\n \n