Introduction

This introduction provides an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on the gap between Northeast and Southeast Asia from a variety of viewpoints and across several dimensions such as trade and industry, services and education policies, and institutions. It adopts a comparative development studies approach. The book addresses the 'Miracle Eight' and the comparison of Southeast and Northeast Asia. It sketches the historical background of oriental globalization and compares trends in Northeast and Southeast Asia in agriculture, industry, services, the state and political institutions. The book focuses on the trade patterns of the 'Factory Model', and discusses the dynamics of trade with a view to value added and technology upgrading and how countries try to diversify and upgrade their manufacturing activities in an effort to capture more added value in GVC.