In his thought provoking book entitled "Confucius Lives Next Door" T.R. Reid has elaborated how at the dawn of the new century, a fundamental shift in the allocation of global wealth, power and influence is imminent. The people of East Asia, after five hundred years of fiscal and political domination by the West, are determined to stand as equals of Europe and the United States in chartering an optimistic course for the world. They are demanding respect and a place at the table. They feel they've earned both, because of two Asian "miracles" spun out over the past three decades. The first is the economic miracle, which has made East Asian countries among the most prosperous on Earth. As the reviewer has envisaged that this book is about East Asia's social miracle - how the Asians have built modern industrial societies characterized by the safest streets, the best schools, and the most stable families in the world. So, when the sun of fortune is blazing with all cylinders in Asia, the concept of an unifying Asia is emerging out as a viable doctrine. In this backdrop India's 'Look East' policy deserves to garner all support and attention. Mr. saran is admirably doing his job.
