Dan Wang

The contrasting economic philosophies of China and the United States may be at the root of the countries’ differing approaches to innovation. Dan Wang, a leading China technology analyst and a research fellow at the Hoover History Lab at Stanford University, peels back layers of economic strategy to reveal a compelling analysis of China’s “engineering state” versus America’s “lawyerly society.” Drawing from first-hand experience and his highly anticipated upcoming book, “Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future,” Wang explains how China’s focus on innovation positions it as a formidable force in technology and infrastructure. Meanwhile, the US, with its slower, legal approach, faces challenges in maintaining its competitive edge in manufacturing and large-scale projects. Wang’s insights provide a unique perspective on an urgent question of the moment: why is China so good at building while America appears woefully slow? He brings leaders actionable strategies for maneuvering within both economies, understanding the implications for global trade and technological competition, and how to leverage these insights for strategic advantage.