The Rise of East Asia and East Asian Social Science’s Quest for Self-Identity

Abstract

The once highly lauded ‘East Asian Miracle’ turned sour after some East Asian economies, together with Southeast Asian countries, suffered from currency and ?nancial crisis in 1997. It triggered a great deal of discussion of what both local and foreign analysts called ‘Asian crisis’. It generated numerous questions and issues that troubled not only policy-makers but also the social science community. The discussion continues even today and perhaps will continue forever without any de?nitive conclusion.