Small Countries Big Lessons

Small Countries, Big Lessons

Hilton L. Root examines the governance of South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, showing how thay have constructed reliable institutions. Political sovereignty, he argues, must be distinguished from economic ownership so that government service does not become a path to great personal wealth; economic and political activities of regime officials must be kept separate. With these fundamentals of governance in place, East Asian governments have established a secure foundation for economic property rights. The rise of industrial Asia provides important insights into how governments become accountable for the outcome of economic policy. The lessons in this book will help scholars and policy makers identify what is transferable from East Asia's rapid economic expansion, and link that expansion to the universal themes of social and economic development.

Too Small to Fail

Too Small to Fail analyzes how several successful 'small' countries, with populations under twenty million, have made a virtue out of their physical limitations. The book seeks to understand what it is they do differently, and why. What is their recipe for achieving better-educated, more egalitarian and wealthier populations? The book looks first at the forest and then the trees. It examines the characteristics shared by small countries, such as Switzerland, Ireland, Singapore, and the Scandinavian states. It draws parallels and discovers patterns shared among them that are common to each of their success stories. The book then looks at the policies of selected countries that have paved the way for remarkable improvements; and considers the individuals, corporations and institutions that have made a positive and sustainable impact. It further goes on to explain how these small countries are reshaping the World in a never before manner.

First (-Sixth) geographical reader. [With] Home-lesson book for Second (-Fourth) geographical reader