Edward K Y Chen Distinguished Lecture Series 2014
Democracy and Economic Development: the Asian Experiences
Date: October 31, 2014 (Friday)
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:15 pm
Venue: Loke Yew Hall, The University of Hong Kong
Guest Speakers
Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee
Minister of Energy and Founding Member and Director of Thailand Development Research Institute
Former Minister of Commerce and Senator of Thailand
Professor Yun-han Chu
Distinguished Research Fellow, Institute of Political Science, Academia Sinica
Professor of Political Science, National Taiwan University
Professor Simon S.C. Tay
Chairman, Singapore Institute of International Affairs
Associate Professor, National University of Singapore
Dr. Soogil Young
Professor, School of Public Policy and Management, Korea Development Institute
Director, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Korea
Distinguished Fellow
Thailand Development Research Institute
Synopsis
There has been a prolific literature on the relationship between democracy and economic development. It is however not always clear whether democracy as a political institution is a necessary condition for economic taking off or the economic development of a country will give rise to favourable conditions for a democratic government. It is likely that the direction of causation runs both ways. Asian experiences seem to suggest, and there are theories to support, that a strong, non-democratic government or a ‘hard’ state is often needed for economic development to begin. Four Asian experts (from Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand) will speak on this subject in general and from their country perspective in particular.
Programme
Welcoming Remarks by Professor Eric C. Chang
Dean, Quoin Professor in Finance, Chair of Finance
Faculty of Business and Economics, The University of Hong Kong
Introduction of Speakers by Profressor Frederick Si-Hang Ma
Honorary Professor
School of Economics and Finance, The University of Hong Kong
Presentation by Guest Speakers
Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee
Minister of Energy and Founding Member and Director of Thailand Development Research Institute
Former Minister of Commerce and Senator of Thailand
Professor Yun-han Chu
Distinguished Research Fellow, Institute of Political Science, Academia Sinica
Professor of Political Science, National Taiwan University
Professor Simon S.C. Tay
Chairman, Singapore Institute of International Affairs
Associate Professor, National University of Singapore
Dr. Soogil Young
Professor, School of Public Policy and Management, Korea Development Institute
Director, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Korea
Distinguished Fellow
Thailand Development Research Institute
Panel Discussion
Closing Remarks by Professor Edward K Y Chen
