Asian Renaissance and Enlightenment – Problems and Prospects

The rise of China and India as new economic power-houses is affecting the balance of economic power globally. However, the rise of Asia is likely to exert even greater influence in the world and even human civilization profoundly if it is accompanied by a cultural and intellectual rejuvenation. Economic resurgence in itself does not guarantee a corresponding intellectual ferment and cultural effervescence. An example is Japan, which has amazed the world with its sterling economic performance for decades, but without equally remarkable achievements in the cultural and intellectual realm. Bearing this in mind, the rise of Asia is an opportunity for an Asian Renaissance and Enlightenment, which may or may not happen. A lot of it would depend on what Asians themselves want to create out of the opportunity.