Written by Prof. Dr. Murat Yülek, Rector of OSTİM Technical University, the book ''How Nations Succeed: Manufacturing, Trade, Industrial Policy and Economic Development'' was published in Chinese after being published in English and Turkish.
Prof. Dr. Murat Yülek's book, in which he follows the issues that the world pursues the most, especially in the age we live in, met with readers in Chinese in the Asian giant China.
Yülek, the leader of the Asian Universities ranking, stated that the Chinese translation of ''How Nations Succeed'', published by Tsinghua University, which was ranked among the most prestigious educational institutions in the world, ranked 13th in the World in 2020 and 20th in 2021, was recommended as one of the most essential books on WeChat platform THINKTANK and was ranked among the top 10 books worth reading.
“Passed through the hands of the Independent Arbitrator.”
Noting that the book was also featured on another WeChat platform that focuses on sharing the best articles and books in China, Prof. Dr. Murat Yülek said about its translation into Chinese and its publication in China: "I am happy that a leading university in the world rankings took such a book, translated it, published it, and then recommended it and nominated it as the best book of the year.” Yülek commented, "This book, which has been reviewed by an independent arbitrator, has been found to contain useful information for the people of the world." Yülek also said that the next edition of the book will be in the Afghan language, adding that he would like to translate it into Arabic and Portuguese.
How was industrialization carried out?
In his book, Yülek follows the issues that the world is pursuing the most, especially in the age we live in, and seeks to answer the questions, "How was industrialization carried out step by step in both the old and the new world order before and after the geographical discoveries? Which strategies were applied on the road to colonization? How were the advanced industrialized countries able to develop so much? Where is Türkiye in industrialization? Which industrial and technology policies are suitable for Türkiye? What does indigenization do?".
In his book, Prof. Dr. Murat Yülek answers these questions and opens up another highly ambitious topic for discussion: "Although industrialization is economically beneficial and necessary for development, it requires a costly, risky, and complex process. On the other hand, no industrialization process, in the modern era or before, is a coincidence, and hence the need for industrial policies has emerged."
Success Methods of Countries
The book's first chapter examines the history of industry and international trade and explains how today's industrialized countries have achieved this, based on historical facts. The second chapter focuses on production and trade balance, emphasizing why industrial production is necessary for development, the importance of the manufacturing industry in economic and commercial terms, who makes industrial production in the world, and who exports what. Current balance from added value, a production that does not make money in the smile curve, why productivity increases will not be enough to achieve development, branding and technology, industry and industrial policies are discussed in a broad framework.
The last chapter of the book discusses industrial policies and industrialization processes. It examines the definition of the standardized industrialization process, the industrial policies best suited to the stages of industrialization, and how South Korea, from Airbus and Saab to South Korea, built its automobile and nuclear reactor industries.
How did South Korea succeed?
The book describes industrialization with significant comparisons and historical facts in a fluent language on a global and national scale. Perhaps the most frequently cited example of South Korea in Türkiye's industrialization adventure is among the remarkable topics. In this book title, there are remarkable findings regarding the comparison of the two countries.
In fluent language, ''How Nations Succeed'' summarizes the following views: "What dilemmas did South Korea face in its development process, and what policies did it use to overcome them? Which policies have been effective, and which policies have not been effective? What kind of institutional structure has been effective in policy development and implementation? Answering such questions can set an example for Türkiye and other developing countries in policy design and implementation.
Four important conclusions can be drawn from this comparison, which is also common in Türkiye. First, South Korea opened to exports twenty years earlier than Türkiye (in the 1980s) and learned by exporting (learning-by-exporting). Although unofficially, South Korea also implemented import substitution policies during this period, allowing industrial companies to 'learn by doing' in a small domestic market.
The second significant difference is industrial policy, and South Korea has pursued more focused sectoral industrial and public procurement policies than Türkiye. This ultimately led to South Korea's more successful results in areas such as automotive, electronics, and steel, despite its lower capabilities.
Third, South Korea has a more prosperous and focused education system than Türkiye. South Korea has emphasized education since the late 19th century. Currently, as the PISA scores show, it is among the world's most prosperous countries in terms of educational outcomes. In addition, South Korea has provided overseas educational support focused on technological areas. Research engineers who received their education abroad were employed with satisfactory wages in competent research centers in the fields of vehicles, nuclear energy, aviation, and electronics.
The fourth important factor is the higher 'capacity' of the state and the private sector in South Korea. Industrialization is a process of capacity accumulation for both the (developmental) state and the private sector. It is noteworthy that both are higher in South Korea than in Türkiye. The public sector has been decisive and successful in designing and guiding industrial policies."