The Future of Asia: Forces of Change and Potential Surprises – Supplementary Report
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Background to this Report
Economic Systems
Social systems
Technology
Energy and Environment Systems
Security Systems
Governance Systems
Background to this Report
This supplementary report provides more detailed information on the issues raised in The Future of Asia: Forces of Change and Potential Surprises foresight report. The report was jointly written by Policy Horizons Canada and the Strategy and Delivery Division, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Australia.
Economic Systems
Asian countries are experimenting with their own paths to prosperity. There is an early sense that a shift is underway from a GDP-centric model to more inclusive growth model.
- Hybrid Models of State and Market-led Innovation
- Rethinking Models of Growth and Consumption in Asia
- Rapid Growth of South-South Trade may Reshape Global and Regional Trading Bloc
- Infrastructure and Technology Advances: Key to Regional Integration
- Innovative Asian Cities Could Leap Ahead
- Chimerica – The Beginnings of a New Regional Reserve
Social Systems
Asia’s economic growth has lifted millions out of extreme poverty. However, the litmus test for Asian governments will be how they manage the growing expectations of a rising middle class, social inequality and shifts in demographic structures. As Asia’s economies grow, it should be accompanied by a flourishing of Asian culture.
- Implications of Demographic Shifts on Migration, Employment and Health
- Rising Inequality Threatens to Derail Projected Asian Growth
- A Rising Middle Class Brings Rising Demands
- Benefits Associated with Asia’s Increased use of Soft Power
Technology
Building on the region’s existing strength, governments in Asia, as well as foreign private investors, are increasingly supporting the research and development of emerging technologies in Asia. While most Asian countries are primarily adopting existing technologies from the West, in 15 years, they may be the leaders in some fields.
- Bio-manufacturing’s Potential to Reshape Production
- Artificial Intelligence & Data Analytics Might Manage Billions
- Robotics Emerges in the Lands of Cheap Labour
- Three-dimensional Printing’s Effects on Value Chains
- E-commerce Speeding up Asian Consumption
Energy and Environment Systems
The rapid pace of economic development is taking its toll on the natural environment, with parched rivers, smog-filled skies and algae-infested beaches. Governments are ready to take dramatic steps and are open to using innovative technologies and policy measures, from economic instruments to drastic bans on particular activities.
- Energy Starts to Become more of a Technology Race
- Urbanization and Scrap Metal Potential to Change Resource Consumption
- Spiraling Complexity of Food Security
- Cascading Water Supply Challenges
Security Systems
Asia’s re-emergence to date has been peaceful. However, to maintain its regional growth, Asia will need to face potential disruptions that could come both from historically rooted disputes and threats as well as emerging new technologies. Asia is also emerging as one of the world’s centres for weapons manufacturing.
- Regional Stability Threatened by Border Disputes and Rising Nationalism
- The Rise of Fundamentalism as a Constraint to Economic Development
- Cyber-security and the New Cold War
- After Fukushima, Asia Sticks to Nuclear Power Plans
Governance Systems
Changes are underway to make Asian governance institutions more efficient, open and transparent. Such changes could be difficult to implement due to vested interests. However, if these measures succeed, they could increase the economic competitiveness of the region. Observers may be surprised by the extent to which established institutions are willing to accommodate rising demands in order to maintain their legitimacy