1997: Economic Development and World System: Market Economy, Aid and Environment

The theme centered around economic development and related policy changes and system changes. Labor movement, poverty alleviation and transition to market economy are discussed by the three presenters.

Toshio IYOTANI (Hitotsubashi University) presented a paper on Globalization and Labor Movement, discussing globalism as a challenge to nationalism. Immigrants have been incorporated into nation-states as minorities. The migrant labor constitutes the underclass, thus forming a dual labor market. The economic globalization through labor movement proceeds,threatening the existence of political nation-states.

Hideki ESHO (Hosei University) discussed a new triad of aid, development and environment. He focused on economic development, especially poverty. He surveyed comparatively the structuralism(inward-looking strategy, two-gap approach), the neo-classical approach(IMF Conditionality) and the revisionism(Basic Needs, UNDP). Public policy is decisively important for a success of the new triad. Further research is required along the neo-classical approach.

Satoshi MIZOHATA (Kyoto University) analyzed transition policies of former socialist countries. The transition to market economy proceeds smoothly in China and Vietnam, but faces difficulties in Russia and East Europe. The presenter compared the shock therapy (big-bang approach) and the gradualist (dual track approach), based on a decade-long data on transition and with focus on stop-and-go policy.

There were two papers on Japan-Korea Economic Relations presented by Choong Young Ahn, Chung Ang University, and Chang Yong Rhee, Seoul National University.

A special symposium was also held on Sustainable Economic Development in Asia, with Jun Nishikawa, Waseda University, as Key Note Speaker.