A More Balanced View of Asia's Rise

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In The Media

A More Balanced View of Asia's Rise

Fears about Asia’s rise warrant a more balanced and critical look. China and India's international standing should not be overstated because both face serious economic and social constraints that will limit their growth.

By Minxin Pei

Published on Aug 13, 2009

Source: WBUR Radio Here and Now

The alarm about the rise of Asia and the decline of America are largely exaggerated. A more balanced and critical look at trends suggests that Asian countries, particularly China and India, are not poised to take over the reigns of world leadership anytime soon. Even at current economic growth rates, average per capita income in Asia is not expected to reach U.S. levels for nearly 80 years. Asian countries also lack well-developed understanding and support for key values such as multilateralism, human rights, and other international public goods that define the contemporary world order. These failings, combined with a relative lack of innovation, internal challenges to national cohesion, and problems posed by environmental degradation, suggest Asia will continue to face many constraints and its rise should not be overstated by the West.

About the Author

Minxin Pei

Former Adjunct Senior Associate, Asia Program

Pei is Tom and Margot Pritzker ‘72 Professor of Government and the director of the Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies at Claremont McKenna College.

Recent Work

In The Media
How China Can Avoid the Next Conflict
- Minxin Pei
In The Media
Small Change
- Minxin Pei

Political Reform Economy Foreign Policy United States South Asia India East Asia China

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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