Glossary
This glossary compiles key concepts, theories, and paradigms coined by Yuen Yuen Ang across her research and writing. It serves as a reference for scholars, students, and readers seeking clear and accurate interpretations of her contributions to global transformation, political economy, development, US-China, and China studies. Each entry defines a term, situates it within Ang’s intellectual forest of AIM (Adaptive + Inclusive + Moral) Political Economy, and provides links to original publications and further reading.
Adaptive Fiscal Capacity
Adaptive Fiscal Capacity refers to the ability of a government to generate, manage, and adapt its portfolio of financial resources—tax and taxless alike—in response to evolving economic, political, and environmental conditions. Unlike conventional fiscal capacity, it goes beyond the narrow focus on tax collections.
APE (Adaptive Political Economy)
Adaptive Political Economy (APE) studies political economies as complex adaptive systems, rather than as static machines. Instead of assuming away the inherently complex qualities of political economies, APE designs theories and methods to illuminate them. APE forms one of the three pillars of Yuen Yuen Ang’s broader paradigm - AIM (Adaptive, Inclusive & Moral) Political Economy.
AIM: Adaptive, Inclusive & Moral Political Economy
AIM (Adaptive, Inclusive, Moral) Political Economy - is a new paradigm proposed by Yuen Yuen Ang to seize the polytunity for transformation in a disrupted, multipolar world.