Looking at the Sun: The Rise of the New East Asian Economic and Political System

by James M. Fallows

Book Overview

In a timely, even prophetic, portrait of Asia's rise and the magnitude of its challenge to the West, Fallows demolishes the myth that Japan is a capitalist country built on the Western model. He demonstrates instead how Japan's economic system treats business as an instrument of national interest while casting aside the traditional Western values of individual enterprise and human rights.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 067942251X
• ISBN13: 9780679422518
• Release Date: April 1994
• Publisher: Pantheon Books
• Length: 517 Pages
• Weight: 2.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Dated, yet a varying view on Asianomics

Good insights into the non-Western concpets of economics as they have been applied in the East. Copious notes for reference to offer validity to the theorems. Personal experience stories, while irrevrent at best, offer more specific narrative to overall theme. Points simply for pointing out 'other' economic models and for depth and breadth of societies covered; if inclusion of so many proves to be a handicap in adequate research belivability. Still, a good start for asianomical debate, if more than a decade old.

Flat earthers...

People are chasing "The world is flat" instead of "Looking at the Sun"...but this book gives you more cultural background information and analytical thinking.

Still Relevant

This excellent book describes the fundamental differences between Asian and American capitalism. Illustrating his arguments with personal narratives, James Fallows argues that Japan is setting an Asian model of capitalism that Western policymakers fail to grasp. Thus, when the Wall Street Journal talks about Asian nations needing to raise consumer spending, the newspaper fails to take into account the fundamental differences. Fallows contends that this failure holds signifcant policymaking concerns for America. One could argue that the collaspe of the Asian markets renders their system invalid, but the Asians remain firm to their model to this day, despite IMF (American) attempts to change their minds. Fallows dives into an area that America frequently fails to consult in making policy decisions: history. Looking at the Sun is still an excellent and relevant read for anyone intrested in Asian affairs.