What brought about a financial crisis in the "miracle" economies of Asia? What went wrong with financial reform in Asia? What can the developing countries of the world learn from the reform experiences in Asia? Financial Liberalization and the Economic Crisis in Asia analyses how financial liberalization was undertaken in eight Asian countries and how it might be linked to the subsequent crises. The country studies focus on China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand.

This work examines the effects of financial liberalization of the more advanced economies in Southeast Asia and analyses the degree to which emerging and transitional economies in East and South Asia can benefit from this example.

The financial crisis that hit a number of 'miracle' economies of Asia in 1997 shocked the world. Financial Liberalization and the Asian Crisis rejects conventional explanations of the crisis as the outcome primarily of inefficient and corrupt economics systems in the countries concerned. It argues that the crisis was the result of premature and overly rapid financial liberalization in a world of increasing financial liquidity and volatility, and calls for a more cautious approach to financial liberalization, and a reform of the international financial architecture.

This study examines the social impact of the Asian financial crisis which began in July 1997. Several countries experienced an economic shock of unprecedented severity after decades of uninterrupted growth. The severe rise in unemployment and its repercussions in the worst-affected countries (Thailand, Republic of Korea and Indonesia) overwhelmed the underdeveloped systems of social protection. Higher unemployment and inflation combined to push many people into poverty. A central policy message is that current programmes of policy and institutional reform following the crisis, should include a basic rethinking of the social dimension of the future model of development. The author also argues for the introduction of unemployment insurance, the expansion of social assistance and the strengthening of active labour market policies.

Korea's financial development has been a tale of liberalization and opening but the new system has failed to steer the country away from financial crises. This study analyzes the changes in the financial system and finds that financial liberalization has contributed little to grow and stabilize the Korean economy.

Written by leading economists, the papers in this collection examine the different effects of trade and financial liberalization on the economic performance of Latin America and Asia. In the face of a deepening economic crisis in Latin America, the contributors examine the assumptions and dangers of indiscriminate economic liberalization policies which disregard the institutional arrangements or historical background of a country in the interests of narrower, more technical criteria such as speed of policy implementation. Addressing policy, conflict management, Asian and Latin American economies, and labor market institutions in Asia and Latin America, this study is an important contribution to the debate on trade and financial liberalization.

Nearly ten years after the Asian Financial Crisis, financial turmoil has reappeared – this time it is ravaging the world's wealthiest countries and dragging the global economy along for the ride. It forces one to reflect on the last major financial crisis to afflict the global economy, and to consider whether there are any similarities, and whether there are any lessons from that crisis that we can apply to the current one. Written by a distinguished group of individuals from government, the private sector, international organizations, and academia, this book provides an overview of developments in the main affected countries during the Asian Financial Crisis, as well as the lessons learned and corrective measures taken at the country, regional, and international levels. Importantly, attention is also paid to the areas where substantial improvements are needed. The current crisis heightens the relevance of these lessons. Lessons from the Asian Financial Crisis will be invaluable to those studying international relations, international finance, international economics and East Asian studies.