Greening Industrialization in Asian Transitional Economies is an important collection of essays which examines environmental performance and the transition to market economies, particularly in China and Vietnam. A comprehensive assessment of the state of industrial environmental management, this informative volume looks at the movement for cleaner production from many perspectives, analyzing its historical roots, its political influences, its implementation, and its economic and technological feasability.

This book examines the opportunities and constraints of environmental leapfrogging in Asia by zooming in on several country cases: China, Vietnam, Singapore and Taiwan. The world has witnessed the profound transformation of China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Singapore from impoverished developing regions into strong and internationally competitive economies. However, it has become obvious that their rapid development has come at a price. Contrary to their economic successes, these Asian economies have been much less successful in terms of ecological sustainability and environmental protection. Mega-cities, such as Shanghai, Beijing, and Ho Chi Minh City suffer from increased air pollution, traffic congestion and a boom in the generation of solid waste. The rapid industrialisation poses a dual challenge to the state. "Doing it right the first time" -- by installing clean technologies, developing the institutional capacity and the appropriate governance style to enforce environmental regulations- could lead to "leapfrogging", the development process and building industrial economies that are both competitive and more sustainable than economies with an older industrial base.

First published in 2006. Over the past decades, the world has witnessed the profound transformation of China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Singapore from impoverished developing regions into strong and internationally competitive economies. Also dubbed Newly Industrializing Economies (NIEs), it has become obvious that their rapid development has come at a price. Contrary to their economic successes, these NIEs have been much less successful in terms of ecological sustainability and environmental protection. A critical question in this respect is: how can the state effect the greening of industries and business without inhibiting economic growth? Some scholars have argued that NIEs are situated at an unique juncture: they have an unparalleled opportunity to ?nd different development paths and in so doing to provide models that other countries could follow. With the right policy mix, they might achieve rapid economic development while avoiding environmental degradation on the scale of that created by the United States, Europe-a Union member countries, and other earlier industrialized nations. “Doing it right the ?rst time” – by installing clean technologies and developing the capacity and the governance style to enforce environmental regulations – could lead to “leapfrogging” the development process, and building industrial economies that are both competitive and more sustainable than those economies with an older industrial base. This edited volume examines these issues through case-studies from China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Singapore. It is argued that the NIEs – ?rst and second generations alike – are not truly situated in a more favourable position that allows leapfrogging in the greening of industries. This book brings together a team of leading experts in their ? eld, ranging from development studies, sociology, political studies, and economics. It will be of interest to a wide readership of students and professionals concerned with development in contemporary Asia, with particular reference to environmental studies, industrial pollution control, social movements, and developmental state theory.

This well-researched book examines the dramatic transformation of Southeast Asian countries from agricultural and mining economies to industrial nations. In doing so, it explores the effects of development policy on a number of interdisciplinary issues, and the emergence of new social and political pressures created by industrialization. These include their heightened vulnerability to complex economic crises, their use of sophisticated instruments in the labour process and increased awareness of environmental issues. The distinguished authors present a regional and cross-border focus on transnational actors and institutions, and the policy issues and problems which have a wider impact on spatial configurations in the region. This insightful study will appeal to researchers, academics and policymakers working on the economics and development of Southeast Asia.

Measuring Social and Economic Change in Rural Russia is based upon nine household surveys in seven rural regions of Russia from 1991 to 2003; including a four wave panel study over an eight-year period. The findings that O'Brien and Patsiorkovsky share in this important work are the only long-term indicators of how ordinary people have learned to adapt to an economic system that was thrust upon them when the Soviet Union collapsed. Three main themes are explored: the relationship between formal and informal institutional change; regional responses to reforms; and the impact of household labor, social networks and community involvement, and physical capital on inequality in material, social, and psychological conditions. This comprehensive study's conceptual and interdisciplinary approach will appeal to anyone interested in the transition of countries from socialist to market economies.

ÔThis book is very timely. . . it provides important insights for bilateral cooperation and international negotiations. These lessons go beyond EUÐChina and EUÐVietnam relations. Many of them are applicable to other countries in Asia, a region which will remain a key priority for EU foreign and climate policy, not least as the EUÕs largest trading partner.Õ Ð From the foreword by Jos Delbeke, Director General, EC DG Climate Action The Governance of Climate Relations between Europe and Asia offers a thorough empirical study of the most fundamental dynamics involved in EU climate relations with China and Vietnam in the context of global climate governance. This book presents a study of the most important governance processes in current EUÐAsia climate relations. It focuses on in-depth empirical case studies, offering a comprehensive relational perspective. Contributions on China cover the most essential issues, interests and actors, while the inquiry of EUÐVietnam relations mainly focuses on the Clean Development Mechanism as the main channel of bilateral climate action. This landmark study will appeal to both policymakers and practitioners faced with the extraordinary task of managing the increasingly complex and multilevel interactions of current EUÐAsia climate relations as well as global carbon market watchers and professionals dealing with emissions trading in the European Union, China and Vietnam. It will also be of interest to scholars and postgraduate students of international relations, Chinese and EU foreign policy, global environmental and climate governance and international law.

The apparent contradiction between China's rapid economic reforms and political authoritarianism is much debated by scholars of comparative political economy. This is the first examination of this issue through the impact of a series of administrative reforms intended to promote government transparency and increase public participation in China.