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I remember some commentary around the time of the fall of Communism that the so-called triumph of capitalism simply presaged a struggle between different expressions of capitalism.

Not just the differing flavours of european capitalism (that the EU is gradually erasing in favour of the American model) but also those from the Far East.

I have no economic background so could not, nor cannot now, give any deeper insight, but I thought it was an interesting idea.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sat Aug 9th, 2008 at 10:28:14 AM EST
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While the leaders of the PRC believe that it is glorious to be rich, I doubt that they believe that it is glorious for government leaders to be led around by the nose by the rich, as in Anglo countries.  They still understand that power proceeds from the barrel of a gun and they remain firmly in control of the guns.  They have learned that by letting businessmen do their thing, they can afford more and better guns and luxuries as well.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.  It seems to me that the Chinese have several real structural advantages at this point.  Nor are they encumbered by any pesky traditions such as Magna Carta, etc.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Sat Aug 9th, 2008 at 07:40:00 PM EST
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they may have some advantages over us, but they have structural disadvantages such as loose regional control that means their coutnry will face serious problems from pollution, drought, thirst and starvation in the next few years.

I fear the rate of damge is so great that when they realise they have to do something urgently, it will be too late. If the people starve or thirst, no power will save the government.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sun Aug 10th, 2008 at 05:13:21 AM EST
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