Freakonomics Radio

647. China Is Run by Engineers. America Is Run by Lawyers.

812 snips
Sep 19, 2025
In a fascinating discussion, Dan Wang, a research fellow at the Hoover Institution and author of 'Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future,' shares insights on the parallels between China and the U.S. He emphasizes the differences between China's engineering-centric governance and America's legalistic approach. Wang explores the implications of China's zero-COVID lockdowns and discusses technological advancements, manufacturing strategies, and policy lessons that could benefit the U.S. He also reflects on the identity and choices of Chinese expats.
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ANECDOTE

Censored Return: Banned Website And Fear

  • Wang recounts being treated as a 'ward of the state' in China despite foreign citizenship.
  • He experienced censorship, website blocking, and sought help from the Canadian consul general in Shanghai.
ANECDOTE

Three Acts Of Zero COVID Experience

  • Dan Wang stayed in China from early 2020 through end of 2022 and experienced zero COVID firsthand.
  • He witnessed phases of anger, temporary acceptance, and a brutal Shanghai lockdown followed by abrupt abandonment.
INSIGHT

Engineering State Drives Big-Build Mentality

  • China functions as an 'engineering state' driven to build large physical and economic projects.
  • That mindset treats social problems as optimization problems, producing both rapid progress and heavy social cost.
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