The Flying Geese Paradigm: A critical study of its application to East Asian regional development

Kasahara, Shigehisa (2004): The Flying Geese Paradigm: A critical study of its application to East Asian regional development. Published in: UNCTAD Discussion Paper No. No.169

Abstract

It is often claimed that what is popularly known as the "flying geese paradigm" of dynamic comparative advantage has accurately depicted the East Asian catching-up process. This paper presents a critical study of the paradigm, as well as its application to the current situation in East Asia economic hierarchy. The paper first presents the various versions of the paradigm, and discusses similarities and differences among them. It then evaluates the application of the paradigm to the East Asian regional development context by identifying major theoretical, conceptual and empirical problems that come with it. It is the author's hope that the arguments presented in this paper will contribute to the further enrichment of future discussions on the East Asian development experience.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Flying geese paradigm; East Asia; Catching-up process; product cycle
• Subjects: B - History of Economic Thought, Methodology, and Heterodox Approaches > B3 - History of Economic Thought: Individuals > B31 - Individuals; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development > O19 - International Linkages to Development ; Role of International Organizations; F - International Economics > F4 - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance > F43 - Economic Growth of Open Economies; F - International Economics > F1 - Trade > F15 - Economic Integration; N - Economic History > N6 - Manufacturing and Construction > N65 - Asia including Middle East; F - International Economics > F2 - International Factor Movements and International Business > F21 - International Investment ; Long-Term Capital Movements; B - History of Economic Thought, Methodology, and Heterodox Approaches > B2 - History of Economic Thought since 1925 > B29 - Other; N - Economic History > N8 - Micro-Business History > N85 - Asia including Middle East; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O2 - Development Planning and Policy > O25 - Industrial Policy; F - International Economics > F2 - International Factor Movements and International Business > F23 - Multinational Firms ; International Business; P - Economic Systems > P4 - Other Economic Systems > P45 - International Trade, Finance, Investment, and Aid; F - International Economics > F5 - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy > F59 - Other; F - International Economics > F1 - Trade > F14 - Empirical Studies of Trade; N - Economic History > N1 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics ; Industrial Structure ; Growth ; Fluctuations > N15 - Asia including Middle East; N - Economic History > N7 - Transport, Trade, Energy, Technology, and Other Services > N75 - Asia including Middle East; N - Economic History > N9 - Regional and Urban History > N95 - Asia including Middle East; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development > O14 - Industrialization ; Manufacturing and Service Industries ; Choice of Technology; F - International Economics > F4 - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance > F42 - International Policy Coordination and Transmission; L - Industrial Organization > L6 - Industry Studies: Manufacturing > L69 - Other

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