Book SummaryThe Future Is Asian, by Parag Khanna

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Future Is Asian

Asia's Historical Significance and Resurgence as a Power

This section examines Asia's historical dominance prior to Western ascendancy, the impact of colonialism on Asia's sense of self and strength, and finally, Asia's return to prominence as a regional system. Khanna emphasizes how, for most of history, Asia was the dominant global force, only to be surpassed by the West due to the Industrial Revolution, and how Asia is now reclaiming its rightful place on the world stage.

Asia's Preeminence Before Western Ascendancy

Before the ascent of the West, Asia was the global epicenter of economic and cultural activity for millennia. Khanna debunks the misconception of a Eurocentric view of history by highlighting Asia's past achievements and interconnectedness well before European colonialism.

Asia's Centuries-Long Economic and Tech Leadership

Throughout the majority of documented history, until the middle of the 19th century, Asia's economic and technological prowess far outstripped Europe's. Khanna utilizes data from the late British economist Angus Maddison to illustrate that China, India, and Japan together generated a larger combined gross domestic product (GDP) than the major Western powers of the United States, Britain, France, Germany, and Italy for an impressive period of two thousand years. This period witnessed Asia's undeniable leadership in various fields. Irrigation systems, constructing bridges, developing clocks and firearms, making paper, and navigating—Asia pioneered all these advancements, with Europe gaining this knowledge later. Urban centers spanning from Baghdad to Delhi to Chang'an were lively nodes of knowledge transfer, surpassing European cities in both size and intellectual vibrancy.

The author underscores that Europe’s ascent to global power was, in a sense, a product of luck rather than ingenuity. If the Ottomans hadn't pressured Europe from the east and the Ming Dynasty hadn't turned inward, European nations might never have secured their advantageous positions in Asia. This allowed them to exploit vulnerabilities arising from pre-modern Asian globalization and utilize acquired knowledge for their own imperial ambitions. This narrative challenges the notion of a linear Western progression and reframes the rise of Europe as a consequence of Asia's dynamism.

Practical Tips

• Engage with modern Asian technology by using apps and gadgets that originate from Asia. This hands-on experience will give you a personal connection to the current economic and technological landscape, mirroring the historical context you're interested in.
• Start a hobby project that incorporates basic principles of ancient technologies, such as building a small-scale aqueduct or sundial, to gain hands-on experience with the ingenuity of past civilizations. This can enhance your problem-solving skills and creativity, as you'll be translating historical concepts into tangible creations.
• Explore the historical urban centers of Asia through virtual reality tours to gain a deeper understanding of their cultural and intellectual heritage. By using VR platforms that offer historical recreations, you can immerse yourself in the environments of ancient Baghdad, Delhi, and Chang'an, experiencing the architecture and street life that contributed to their vibrancy. This can provide a sensory-rich learning experience that goes beyond reading about these cities.
• Reflect on the role of chance in your career by journaling about key events that were outside your control. Write down at least five significant moments in your professional life and identify how luck played a part. This could include unexpected job offers, meeting influential people by chance, or benefiting from market changes.
• Use the concept of 'advantageous positioning' to reassess your current challenges. Write down a list of obstacles you're facing and then brainstorm ways in which these could actually be leveraged to your benefit. For instance, if you're dealing with a competitive job market, consider how this could motivate you to acquire new skills or explore innovative career paths that you wouldn't have otherwise considered.
• Engage in local politics or community groups that focus on ethical trade and historical awareness. By participating, you can help shape policies or initiatives that promote fair trade and acknowledge the lessons from past global interactions, thus contributing to a more equitable global market.

Pan-Asian Trade Routes: Linking Asia's Civilizations Through Commerce, Conflict, Exchange

Khanna dispels the misconception that Asia was uncharted territory before European arrival, emphasizing its well-established pre-colonial ties. For centuries, the Silk Roads fostered a thriving network of commerce and cultural exchange, connecting empires from the Mediterranean to Chinese territories. These routes facilitated the trade of goods like silk, tea, and porcelain, alongside the exchange of inventions, beliefs, and religious teachings, making Asia a vibrant and interconnected cultural zone. Even before colonialism, the Mongols had already established a global system, governing the biggest land empire in history, extending from the East Sea to the Caspian Sea.

Trade, according to Khanna, wasn't simply a peaceful endeavor; it was often attended by conflict, as rival empires sought control over vital trade routes and resources. Interactions between the Arabs and the Mongol Empire, for example, spurred both sides to explore new pathways, alliances, and strategies to either subdue or evade each other. This constant competition, however, paradoxically contributed to growing the overall system, with each encounter fostering greater connections and driving innovation.

Practical Tips

• Engage with local Asian communities to learn about their historical narratives and perspectives on exploration and mapping. Attend cultural events, workshops, or talks that delve into the...

The Future Is Asian Summary Asia's Distinct Economic Model and Growing Financial Influence

This section delves into the distinctive features of the economic model in Asia that has fueled the region's spectacular growth. Khanna traces the evolution of "Asian Capitalism" from its origins in Japan's success to its adoption as a regional norm. He highlights the crucial role of Asian consumption and investment in driving global economic activity and efforts in the region to establish self-sufficient financial institutions.

Evolution of Capitalism Locally: From Success to Norms

Asia's economic success isn't simply a product of adopting Western market principles; it has been accomplished by adapting and refining those principles to suit Asian contexts. Khanna contrasts the Western notion of open commerce with a more pragmatic Asian approach of "open regionalism," which embraces the opportunities of globalization but also prioritizes strategic government intervention to mitigate risks and improve competitiveness.

Post-WWII Japanese Accomplishments and Focus on Exporting

Khanna underscores how Japan pioneered a distinctly Asian approach to capitalism. Japan's postwar economic miracle was driven by state-directed, export-led growth, with government ministries and...

The Future Is Asian Summary Asia's Expanding Influence on the Worldwide Economy

This section examines Asia's expanding global influence beyond its immediate neighborhood. Khanna explores how Asia's economic and demographic dynamism is transforming Africa and South America, driving closer ties with Europe, and enriching global cultural exchange.

Asian Influence on Nearby Regions Through Expanding Commerce, Financial Activities, and Populations

Asia is not merely integrating internally; it is actively expanding its influence across the full breadth of the Afroeurasian and Pacific realms. Khanna demonstrates how the growth of Asia's trade, investment, and migration flows are transforming Africa, Latin America, and Europe, pulling these regions closer into its orbit.

Asia-Africa Economic Links: A Complement to Historical Bonds

Khanna highlights how Asia's renewed ties with Africa represent an accelerating trend in global economic integration, driven by a surge in commercial activity and Chinese infrastructure investments. What makes this new wave of engagement particularly interesting is that it is complementary to historical bonds that link the two regions across the Indian Ocean through shared pre-colonial trading networks, religious and cultural...

The Future Is Asian Summary The Impact of Asia's Technocratic Governance on the Region and World

This section explores the growing appeal of technocracy in Asia. Khanna analyzes the limitations of democracy in delivering effective progress and argues that a number of Asian nations, having witnessed its shortcomings, now prioritize pragmatic, responsive leadership over ideals of popular participation.

Asia's Balance: Democracy, Technocracy, and the Attraction of Stability

Asia's experience with democratic governance has been mixed. Khanna explains that while countries like Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan have established successful democratic systems, elsewhere the results have been less encouraging. Nations such as India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and others have seen democracy manifest more as a platform for political corruption than as a force for societal and economic advancement. This disillusionment with the promise of democracy has, according to Khanna, led to a growing attraction to technology-driven alternatives that prioritize effective governance over popular participation.

Asian Societies Experiencing Democracy That Fails to Produce Effective Progress-Promoting Government

Khanna argues that throughout a number of democracies in Asia, the public has...