The Shanghai Model of Development

• In Event: 286 - Section on Sociology of Development Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Paper Session: Table 07. Politics

Abstract

The recent economic rise of Asia has accompanied a spectacular rise of cities across Asia. Cities such as Singapore, Shanghai, and Dubai have emerged as new centers of regional and global finance. Prospects of urban-led rapid economic growth have engendered urban experiments based on distinctively Asian practices of urban emulation among cities in Asia (Ong 2011). In recent years, Shanghai has emerged as a important referent for Mumbai, India’s “global city” and perceived driving force of India's economic integration into the world economy. Through a comparative historical analysis of both the cities, this paper (which is based on my dissertation research) discusses the implications of Shanghai as a development model for Mumbai. The paper argues that Shanghai as a development model is based on an economically hegemonic development thinking that perpetuates existing class and regional inequalities.

Author

• Ravi Ghadge, Southern Polytechnic State University