Ostasien im weltwirtschaftlichen Aufwind

Europas Gewicht wird unterschätzt

Abstract

Over the past three decades most East Asian national economies have generated the highest development dynamism ever reported in economic history, thereby creating the third full-fledged key region of the global economy. Strong intra-regional investment and trade activities have substantially promoted the economic integration of the region. These powerful tendencies have tempted a number of observers to jump to conclusions that, with regard to the further economic advancement of East Asia, the significance of Western economies (America and Western Europe) has, in the course of time, grown much less essential. However, although seemingly supported by trends in regional trade data, a careful look at the statistical evidence suggests that such assumptions are not really well founded and, therefore, in need of rectification.