Book Club on The Econocracy: The Perils of Leaving Economics to the Experts

This project is a two-part holiday book club centered on The Econocracy: On the Perils of Leaving Economics to the Experts, organized by the YSI East Asia Working Group in collaboration with Ekonsepto (Rethinking Economics Philippines), a Philippine-based economic literacy initiative. The book club aims to create a public, accessible space for critical discussion on the role of economic expertise, technocracy, and public engagement in shaping policy across East and Southeast Asia.

The project consists of two online sessions:

1. December 20 — Introduction Session: An open conversation on why economics has become increasingly “expert-owned,” and how this affects democratic participation in the East Asian context.

2. January 10 — Book Discussion: A collective reflection on The Econocracy, focusing on how its arguments resonate with issues of transparency, economic communication, and public literacy in the region.

Participants sign up through this Google Form. The event is open to the public, conducted in English, and designed to welcome participants with diverse backgrounds, not only those trained in economics.

The project is aligned with ongoing research and advocacy for more inclusive economic dialogue in East Asia, where rapid development, inequality, and institutional complexity make public understanding of economics especially vital. By grounding the discussions in both lived experience and emerging scholarship, the book club offers an entry point into themes such as institutional trust, governance quality, and democratizing economic knowledge.

This initiative also strengthens the YSI East Asia Working Group by expanding outreach, fostering cross-country exchange, and building a sustained community of young scholars and practitioners interested in pluralist, accessible economic thought. The collaboration with Ekonsepto amplifies visibility through an established public-facing platform, creating a bridge between academic inquiry and community-based education.

Through this project, we aim to cultivate a more participatory economic culture, one where young people across East Asia and globally can confidently engage in conversations that shape their societies.