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The entire Chinese economy is a Potemkin village; mighty on the outside but in reality is basically a farce. One day, in the not so distant future, their entire People's Republic is going to come crashing down.
All of it despite the fact that it's actually manufacturing real goods for export rather than simply more currency? All of it despite the fact that it's done huge infrastructure projects both domestically and abroad? All of it despite the huge lowering of infant mortality and malnourishment as well as the raising of life expectancy and literacy?
I agree that a good deal of China's dealing seem on fairly shaky grounds, but to say it's all a farce would be to ignore a lot of reality. There's definitely ridiculous speculation and overdevelopment non commensurate with actual needs in some parts, but I doubt that's all of it.
The wealth and health of the countries usually is being determined by the leaderships. If the leadership is poor and without direction, then the country would be in dire straits.
China success is done with the visionary direction of Deng Xiaopeng where its truly open policy and the follow up infrastructure by his predecessors. Not just the Olympics success, but the business and highway infrastructure has surpassed many Asian countries in the region. Even the usage of English or internet went leaps and bound. Most of the projects done is to anticipate economics uptrend and not white elephants. It's roaring success is not just focus on Shanghai but other small towns which had boomed into cities or industrial parks like Shenzen and Fujian. Bicycles has been replaced by cars and the dressing success is defined by branded premiums from Prada to Gucci, Jimmy Choo to Chanel.
On the other side of the coin - Philipines before 70's were the most prosperous nation among the Asean countries but today lagging where it is sending his women to be overseas hosuemaids to work in other Asean countries like Malaysia and Singapore earining as low as USD300 per month wages! And there are many who resort to come as illegal, too. IMHO, I would blame it on Marcos adminstration where corruptions were the core of the problems which hampered economics growth. And there is no real leaders who can command and lead into prosperity yet.
Interestingly, I see a brighter future with the new adminstration of Indonesia where it is seeing steady progress and transformation. So far, in history, strong leadership is the element with economics success or failures. As for United States of America, if there is a truly visionary leader who is by the people, for the people, then the country would be blessed by success. Otherwise, it would go flip and flop with foolish domestic and foreign politics policies just to win votes to stay in office. Unless we have a leader like Steve Job who is passionate for success with is mantra of "Stay hungry, stay foolish", there would be not iSuccess.
Last edited by zinglicious; 02-12-2012 at 11:45 PM..
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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I don't think nations should be competing to be 'top' as if it's some kind of cooperation. Frankly, it's asking for disaster. I'd rather see all the nations of the world begin to cooperate. America has had it's era - it was glorious, even with it's ugliness - and was a result of having a vast land blessed with natural resources, and a free and hard-working people. But it's actually been a little over 200 years since the American revolution and it's already in trouble. The Roman Empire lasted half a millennium, so don't act as if America is another eternal nation.
Ketchup is still by default a free condiment. America's stats overall are pretty good despite the crippling inequality. There are programs to help things get better, but it doesn't get around to everyone and the minority of people who abuse it abuse it terribly. I would not count the US as down and out given its vast material resources and the strength of its educated populace--while there is a strong anti-intellectual strain in the US, it's tempered by the strong institutions which can theoretically make a very fast turnaround. Much of the infrastructure is in place to make this happen, but it takes a certain amount of political and social will to allow this (less in-fighting and more getting things done--whether under private enterprises or socialist programs).
Should Americans be worried at the rate it is going as in the national debt? It has been growing at compounding rate and I wonder how high or long can it sustains as the U.S. government has to borrow 43 cents of every dollar that it currently spends? What would happen if it has to borrow every dollar of every dollar that it would be eventually be spending? It wouldnt makes any dollar and senses, would it? 12 Scary Debt Facts for 2012 - Yahoo! Finance
I'd take a bet on the world entering an extended period of relative peace and increasing global co-operation. The general trend over time seems to suggest an increasing consolidation of independent states operating in federations, to some extent we already live in a system where we have to co-operate due to the inter-connectedness of the world economy.
Two hundred years from now our environmental house of cards will have tumbled down and neither the U.S. nor China will be vying for superpower honors..the dolphins will rule the oceans...and the cockroaches will rule the land.
"The United States of America" V "The People's Republic of China" for the next 200 years (2011-2211)
2 World Superpowers for the next 200 years no I did not include India there are to many risk and problems in India to become one.
USA have 309 Million people right now USA have $15,227 Trillion.
PRC have 1.34 Billion people right now PRC have $6,515 Trillion.
What do you think will happen? I will post my thoughts once their is 30 Comments.
Yes, the U.S. had $15,227 trillion but we're horribly in debt and our deficit is much more than that.
Meanwhile, China is booming and they have trillions of dollars to play around with.
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