CAS Book Talk

The Asia-Pacific region has seen extraordinary economic achievements. Japan's post-World War II transformation into an economic powerhouse challenging US dominance by the late 1980s was miraculous. China's rise as the world's second-largest economy is one of the 21st century's most stunning stories. India, now a top-five economy by GDP, is rapidly ascending. Despite its small population, Australia ranked among the top ten GDP nations in 1960 and has remained resilient. While cultivating, attracting, and leveraging talent has been crucial to growth in these countries, their approaches have varied widely, reflecting significant cultural, historical, and institutional differences.

In this sweeping analysis of talent development strategies, Gi-Wook Shin investigates how these four “talent giants” achieved economic power and sustained momentum by responding to risks and challenges such as demographic crises, brain drain, and geopolitical tensions. This book offers invaluable insights for policymakers and is essential for scholars, students, and readers interested in understanding the dynamics of talent and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

During the talk, Professor Shin will also reflect on what these comparative experiences may imply for Sweden.

Gi-Wook Shin is the William J. Perry Professor of Contemporary Korea in the Department of Sociology and a senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. He previously directed the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (2005–2025) and founded Stanford’s Korea Program in 2001, all at Stanford University. In 2023, he launched the Stanford Next Asia Policy Lab (SNAPL), focusing on issues including Talent Flows and Development, Nationalism and Racism, U.S.-Asia Relations, and Democratic Crisis and Reform. His latest book is The Four Talent Giants, a comparative study of talent strategies of Japan, Australia, China, and India was published by Stanford University Press.

Moderator:
Dr. Patrik Ström, Director, Center for Asian Studies, Stockholm School of Economics

• Date and Time: Thursday, June 4, 16:30-17:45
• Language: English
• Location: The Cabinet Room (A336), 3rd floor, Stockholm School of Economics, Sveavägen 65, Stockholm

Register for the seminar here by June 1.