The a16z Show

Balaji and Dan Wang: The Engineering State vs Lawyerly State

Episode Summary

Balaji Srinivasan speaks with Dan Wang, author of Breakneck, about China's industrial rise, America's competing strengths in software and finance, and what happens when an engineering state and a lawyerly state collide. The conversation covers manufacturing dominance, the future of the dollar, why both superpowers keep making costly mistakes, and where builders fit into what comes next.

Episode Notes

Balaji Srinivasan speaks with Dan Wang, author of Breakneck, about China's industrial rise, America's competing strengths in software and finance, and what happens when an engineering state and a lawyerly state collide. The conversation covers manufacturing dominance, the future of the dollar, why both superpowers keep making costly mistakes, and where builders fit into what comes next.

 

Resources:

Follow Dan Wang on X: https://twitter.com/danwwang

Follow Balaji on X: https://twitter.com/balajis

Subscribe to Network State Podcast:  https://www.youtube.com/@nspodcast