The traditional Asian economic model was characterised by the strategy of state-directed, rapid industrial catching-up. The first-growth period for Japan was 1953-73, while that for the NIEs (Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore) was 1966-86. Between 1987 and 1996, prior to the Asian financial crisis, there was indication that Southeast Asia and coastal China had been replicating the same Asian economic model. While showing a considerable degree of success, the developmental model has its shortcomings, and the financial crisis in 1997-98 exposed the flaws in the economic and political...