Dwight Heald Perkins (1934–)

Dwight Perkins’ illustrious career initially focused on China’s planned economy of the 1950s and 1960s, then broadened, first to incorporate work on pre-1949 imperial and Republican China, including path-breaking work on Chinese agriculture from the founding of the Ming Dynasty through 1968. Thereafter, Dwight turned his attention to China’s post-1976 reform effort and to evaluating the long-term potential of the resulting economic boom. This fruitful line of research continues. Beginning in the 1970s, Dwight began a parallel career in development advisory work, extending his research ambit to encompass Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia, among others. He stands out among China economists for his exceptional breadth of research and field experience; among development specialists, his deep knowledge of the most successful emerging economy is equally remarkable. The many students Dwight has mentored and governments he has advised have benefitted from his expertise, richly leavened with practical knowledge.