There can be no doubt that Japan remains unchallenged as the economic giant of the Pacific. However, the economies of East and South East Asia are increasingly becoming integrated into a broad Pacific Asia region which contains most of the world's fastest growing economies. In Economic and Social Development in Pacific Asia a group of world authorities set the area in its global context and examine the economic emergence of the region. In so doing, they illustrate that despite superficial similiarities, there have been many more differences and it is not possible to offer a model of Asian development. The authors also challenge the perceived wisdom that this dynamic growth is the result of laissez-faire, market-led economies. They argue that on the contrary, there has been a great deal of government intervention, and this growth is actually a result of a policy of guiding the market.