Public Policy in Asia: Implications for Business and Government

Drawing upon experts in Asian economics, public management, law, and the physical and political sciences from leading universities around the world, the editors of this unusual volume examine the critical challenges now facing this important sector of the world: growth, income security, and fiscal reform; governance and public management; and technological innovation and the environment. The contributors address these policy questions from a variety of perspectives, recognizing their complexity and multidisciplinary implications. The result is a balanced mix of theory, applications, and case studies, providing depth and substance in a readable manner. Specialists in public policy and international commerce in fields of government and business will find this wide-ranging book, with its many challenging conclusions, to have broad, useful relevance to their studies and applications to their work. For thirty years, Asia has been experiencing rapid economic growth and transformation. Higher standards of living, social and demographic transitions, and rising expectations have had a profound impact on many aspects of public policies in the region. Policy makers have found some issues, such as government finance and poverty reduction, easier to address, while issues such as the need for social safety nets, economic competition, and corporate governance have been relatively neglected. The 1997 economic crisis, the causes and implications of which are still being debated, complicated matters significantly and raised the stakes in the task of solving public problems. It is in this context that comparative public policy with an Asian focus has emerged as a subject of study in its own right. And it is that which the volume editors and their contributors explore now. In doing so they help to set an agenda for the worldwide policy debate already looming.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: The Challenge of Policy Studies in Asia by Thomas P. Snyder, Mukul G. Asher, and David Newman Growth, Income Security, and Fiscal Reform Economic Growth and Income Inequality: The Malaysian Experience by Donald R. Snodgrass Economic Growth and Income Inequality: The Korean and Thai Experiences by Nanak Kakwani and Hyun H. Son Aging Populations and Income Security: The Challenges in East Asia by Robert L. Clark Aging Populations and Income Security: A Framework for Analysis and Action by G. Shantakumar Globalization and Fiscal Policy: Rationale for Reform in Southeast Asia by Mukul G. Asher Globalization and Fiscal Policy: Tax Reform in Japan by Hiromitsu Ishi Governance and Management Reform Globalization and Economic Management by Anwar Shah Learning and Innovation in Public Institutions: Lessons from Singapore by Tan Tay Keong and Khoo Boon Hui Good Governance: The Role of Legal Institutions by Annie de Roo and Robert Jagtenberg Technology, Innovation, and the Role of Government Science, Technology, and Innovation: Issues and Rationales by Mark Dodgson National Technology Policy: The Singapore Experience by Koh Ai Tee and Koh How Eng National Technology Policy: The Korean Experience by Linsu Kim Environmental Policy and Management Integrated Environmental Assessment by Colin Kirkpatrick Environmental Valuation by Jack L. Knetsch

About the Author :
MUKUL G. ASHER is Professor of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore. He is the author or co-author of numerous books published here and abroad, and has consulted to the United Nations, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on matters of public sector finance. DAVID NEWMAN is Associate Professor of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore./e He is author, editor, or co-editor of several books. His articles have appeared in the major journals of his field. His first Quorum book was Entering the Chinese Market: Risks and Discounted Rewards (1998). THOMAS P. SNYDER is Associate Professor of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore./e He has authored several books and articles on the financing of growth and public/private sector responsibilities in development. His research concentrates on public finance, urban economics, and planning and approaches to policy analysis.

Review :
?[P]rovides a good overview of the salient public policy issues applicable in the current Asian context. The comparative nature of the book is a definite plus, giving the reader valuable insights into the region with specific examples and in-depth country analyses. This book is a must read for practitioners and students of public policy in Asia.?-The Journal of Asian Studies "ÝP¨rovides a good overview of the salient public policy issues applicable in the current Asian context. The comparative nature of the book is a definite plus, giving the reader valuable insights into the region with specific examples and in-depth country analyses. This book is a must read for practitioners and students of public policy in Asia."-The Journal of Asian Studies "[P]rovides a good overview of the salient public policy issues applicable in the current Asian context. The comparative nature of the book is a definite plus, giving the reader valuable insights into the region with specific examples and in-depth country analyses. This book is a must read for practitioners and students of public policy in Asia."-The Journal of Asian Studies