Asia’s ongoing economic transformation has captured the world’s imagination. Many marvel at the speed a diverse region packed with poverty has laid the groundwork for future prosperity. They acknowledge the massive hurdles crossed to get this far, but are nonetheless awed by those still to be surmounted. Asia’s role in the world economy is growing, but so too are the challenges in keeping its transformation on track. The genesis of Asia’s transformation is critical. History is fundamental for thinking about the future. Yet the goal of sustained economic growth equitably distributed remains central to the debate—and still elusive
