The author of the book ‘Can Asians think?’ who is also an Asian sets up a forum in the book to discuss several factors that make the whole Asian continent lag behind in technology and development mostly in its economy. The book also discuss a lot of ideas that form an answer to this question and seeks to explain all the possible approaches that can be used to discuss the issue (Kishore, xiv).
In the initial chapters of the book, the author of the book poses the question of the ability of Asians to think. By first acknowledging that the Asians take this to be a sensitive question, the author appears to draw attention in the readers to think and believe that there is some sense in the question. The author also makes a comment that the Europeans may feel oppressed by a similar question since it is politically incorrect but eh author argues the idea from an economic perspective.
In the second chapter (the return of Asia), the author explains lack of Asian voices in economic conferences and with her as the only Asian who can discuss such matters, the question of Asian thinking rings in her mind. This forms the basis of discussion for the whole book, a question that she tries to answer as explicitly as possible. So as to achieve the set goal, the author tries to redefine the question as empirically as possible. To make the question much sensible, the author explains of some future projections in terms of population. It is estimated that by the year 2050, the Asian continent will have about a third of the world’s population. This is in contrast to the western population which is estimated to remain constant all through the whole period.
In support of the same question, the author explores the historical context of the west and the east. From the history, the East had an added advantage since most of the world’s technologies and developments were deduced from the East. In fact, most of the scientific discoverers including Einstein were from the east. Up to the 16th century, the west was worse compared to the east and any person at that time postulated that the East was going to take the lead. All over a sudden, the west started taking leaps towards development and revolution. This took place as the East lay prostrate watching the west take the lead. That explains why the author feels that the East is in a slumber as the west is busy thinking on how to make its plans a success (Kishore, 26).
On matters regarding my support for this idea, I agree with the author in claiming that the east is in a slumber since most of the technologies applied in the west originated from the East but the people in the east were unable to achieve. Judging from the same historical context, I also concur with the author since if the two were at par in the 16th century and there was better organization in the East compared to the west, what happened? Was the thinking capacity of the Asians less compared to that of the whites? Well, these questions also form a fundamental analysis which better explains that the Asians were not just ready to think competitively (Kishore, 46).
In an attempt to tackle the question explicitly, the author begins to deal with the question by providing three answers. In the first answer, the author supports the idea that the Asians cannot think. From this notion, the author presents information why the east except Japan and the four ‘Tigers’ cannot think. In support of this idea, the author presents information on a historical account. This explains that the East isn’t poor or less development conscious but the truth is that they are infected with the inferiority complex in which they believe and claim to be less innovative and creative compared to the people from the West (Yuan, 46).
Jumping to the second answer to the question, the author presents the idea that Asians still can think on their own and develop to even better placed positions to control the world economy as the west does. In an illustration, the author refers to Japan, one of the G8 countries and with one of the best economies in the world. The author presents a historical account and economic projections as well as strategies that will make the East better placed to accomplish the thinking ability of the region. Several factors are presented in the book that acts as the basic elements fueling the positive postulation on the subject matter in the book.
One of the main elements is the unexploited potential in the East. Looking or investigating the resources in the east, it is evident that the east has more untapped potential than the west. This makes the east better placed in resource exploitation thus has a better chance to express its prowess and ability to control the world economy. Some of these resources include petroleum and natural forests. From statistics, these resources account for about 50% of the gross probability of the east overtaking the west in controlling the world economy (, paragraph 4).
Working with postulates and world report on economic status, by the year 2020, it is estimated that China will outdo the United States in being the top in the world economy and per capita income. This will be a shift from the west to the east which will see many of the Asian countries top in the world economies. Still from the East, it is estimated that India will top the list on largest economies and per capita incomes by the year 2050 (, paragraph 8). This is an indication that the west will lose its supremacy in controlling the world economy to the east if at all the east will think as outlined by Kishore. The author makes it clear that the east is well placed compared to the west thus should be at a better point to exploit and think for itself instead of depending on the West for its thinking. The main idea that makes the author convinced that the East cannot think for itself unless coaxed by some measures to do so is the inferiority complex in the East. Though this idea is well presented, I can differ with this idea. Take a look at a country like Japan. Is it not in the East? Why has prospered and showed great contribution in a West dominated top region of international economies? Also, take a look at countries like China. If the East cannot think for itself, then why does this country seem to threaten the West dominance in the World economic outlook? Closely examining this information and other sources, I feel that the east stands a better chance think for itself in a much better way than presented in the book (Michael, 23).
Another option is the probability aspect. This serves in terms of a probable outcome whose certainty is subject to change at any moment. This is mainly fueled by the fact the exploitation and other factors affecting the economy are subject to change in the near future without any early warning. On my opinion, this is the best answer to the topic question. It eliminates all aspects of bias as well as considers the other factors affecting the economy.
Looking at the impact of the west on the world, it is clear that the west carries the rest of the world. This makes the west have a greater burden to shoulder the whole world. This is well elaborated on by the author who argues from a western perspective in the United States. This country carries most of the world economy thus if the west decides to do anything, it puts into considerations the whole of the world (Sheila, 4).
Turning to Asian continent as a whole, the author presents information that the economies of the whole Asian continent have one of the highest potentials in the globe. The author describes vividly what it means for the Asian continent to think since in the near future, it should stand a chance to control the world economy as the west does currently. This is further elaborated on in the global concerns section where the author explains explicitly the effect of the western economies on the economy and the potential held by the east on the same (Sheila, 6).
In conclusion, I can claim that the book presents a great deal of information regarding the Asian continent and the potential held by the continent in relation to the world economy. This book is written as an eye opener not only to the Asian continent but to Africa as well. Considering the potential in Africa, there is still a very high proportion of untapped potential in the continent. This makes the book better framed even for the African continent.
Works cited
Kishore M. Can Asians Think? Marshall Cavendish Editions, 2010 print
Michael S. The miracle: the epic story of Asia’s Quest for Wealth. Princeton Inc, India, 2006 print.
Yuan H. China and Japan: Can they lead the world economy? Retrieved from
Sheila N. Asian economic reviews, retrieved from
