Center for Asian Studies (CAS), Stockholm School of Economics

In an era of increasing political and economic complexity, understanding the dynamic business environment becomes paramount. Concepts such as geoeconomics and geopolitics have become more frequent in the international economic context. With this backdrop the course introduces an analysis of economic and political developments in East Asia, focusing on China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. 

This connects the macro economic development with the corporate level and brings the institutional context into the wider analysis of the rapid economic development of East Asia. An important part of the course is to understand and analyze the connection between economic development and security policy that is vital in East Asia. East Asia is in many ways at the epicentre of geoeconomic and geopolitical tensions that could have a profound impact on the global economy.

For Japan, we examine the country’s post-war economy and industrial structure and challenges for the future. For China, we examine the shift from a planned economy to a more market-oriented, yet state-dominated economy, and how it has transformed the Chinese economy to what it is today. For Southeast Asia, we discuss development strategies in the post-war period and examine the so-called miracle years, crisis, and transformation.  

In addition, the course seeks to explain the East Asian economic integration, how trade and investment have led to rapid economic development and connections to the wider global economy. Finally, the course discusses the impact of the transition towards a more sustainable and green economy in East Asia.

Overall, the course strives to combine a historical perspective with a close look at the present and future economic development and connection to the global economy that is currently shaping the geoeconomic and geopolitical context in East Asia and the broader impact on the global economy. 

To facilitate the understanding of the geoeconomic and geopolitical environment in East Asia, the course consists of lectures on the respective countries, in combination with essay writing presented at the final seminar of the course.

Structure over a 6-week period (starting 23 April):

·      1 day course introduction and initial lectures. 23 April on site CAS.

·      Digital lectures (2-3) on the respective geography. 

·      Essay writing and tutoring.

·      2-day course workshop with presentation of essays. 10-11 June on site CAS