Run of the Red Queen: China's Challenge to Stay at the Frontier of Global Technology

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Run of the Red Queen: China's Challenge to Stay at the Frontier of Global Technology

Dr Dan Breznitz

7 March 2012

SMU Mochtar Riady Auditorium

Singapore

Since China's ascent to the position of the world's second-largest economy, conversations on its technological capabilities have swung between two views - as a remarkable triumph or an overhyped, insubstantial disappointment. However, neither is completely accurate, as they spring from a distorted comprehension of the dynamics within the global economy and China's intricately woven role within it.

In this lecture, political scientist Dan Breznitz injected a fresh perspective into the ongoing conversation by presenting a nuanced exploration of China's technological evolution and its journey toward fostering innovation. His exposition sought to transcend simplistic interpretations that tend to overshadow the different aspects of China's technological landscape.

Innovation is just as important as mastering novel product invention in achieving sustained economic growth.
China's swift ascent fuels globalisation and is a major factor in enabling firms to spread production and innovation globally.
China's economic risk is internal; leaders prioritise novel product innovation for growth, neglecting other factors.

Speaker

Dr Dan Breznitz

Associate Professor of International Affairs and Strategic Management, The Sam Nunn School of International Affairs & The College of Management, Georgia Institute of Technology

On challenging rigid beliefs on innovation

We should expect countries to be innovative in very different and complementary ways. Once you accept that, the idea that everywhere should look like Silicon Valley or any other kind of model, or else fail, is wrong.

We should expect countries to be innovative in very different and complementary ways. Once you accept that, the idea that everywhere should look like Silicon Valley or any other kind of model, or else fail, is wrong.

Dan Breznitz
Associate Professor of International Affairs and Strategic Management
The Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and The College of Management, Georgia Institute of Technology

Chinese companies are excelling and they are working on the cusp of innovation, but they don't push that innovation. What they allow and what they know how to do is to immediately play with those innovations.

Dan Breznitz
Associate Professor of International Affairs and Strategic Management
The Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and The College of Management, Georgia Institute of Technology