Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future

Dan Wang, associated with Stanford’s Hoover History Lab, discusses China's emphasis on engineering in his book Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future. He contrasts China as an "engineering state" with the US, which he describes as a "lawyerly society."

China’s Engineering Achievements

• China's infrastructure, including airports, railway stations, and urban planning, reflects its engineering prowess.
• The political leadership in China is predominantly composed of engineers, with 80% of the governors, mayors, and party secretaries being technocrats.
• Significant engineering leadership began with the third generation of leaders, under Deng Xiaoping, like Jiang Zemin and Xi Jinping.

Key Engineering Figures in China

• Wan Gang: Promoted electric vehicles (EVs) and was a key figure in China’s EV industry.
• Xu Guangxian: Known as the father of China’s rare-earth industry.

Expats returning to China and a large number of STEM graduates contribute significantly to decision-making in China.

Comparison with Other Countries

• The US Congress has fewer scientists and engineers compared to lawyers and business people.
• India has many talented engineers who have contributed significantly in various sectors, like M Visvesvaraya, Homi Bhabha, Vikram Sarabhai, and E Sreedharan.

India’s Engineering Challenges and Opportunities

The generalist administrative culture in India has historically overshadowed specialized engineering roles.

Political and Business Dynamics in India

• There has been an increase in engineers joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), rising from 30% to over 60% of new recruits.
• In political leadership, the presence of engineers is still limited, with notable figures like Ashwini Vaishnaw. However, the government is predominantly influenced by cultural ideologies.
• Many successful Indian entrepreneurs come from traditional trader communities, while some engineering-focused business leaders come from communities like Tata, Godrej, and Mahindra.

Entrepreneurship and Economic Ecosystem

India lacks first-generation engineer-entrepreneurs like China's Lei Jun and Wang Chuanfu. The Indian ecosystem may not be as supportive of such ventures.

Conclusion: Engineering as a Strategic Asset

While engineers are trained for rational problem-solving, their integration in leadership roles could enhance India's manufacturing sector and infrastructure. The future may involve reassessing the role engineers play in governance and industry to enhance systemic efficiency and competitiveness.