Comments

Maybe the China bubble is busting soon, Globazation is not what we think it is !!..theres a whole new spin on it here..

http://hbsworkingknowledge.hbs.edu/item.jhtml?id=4812&t=globalization

Posted by /pd at May 31, 2005 3:17 PM

There’s something in MacArthur’s memoirs about the first time he set foot in Asia as a 25 year old lieutenant. He said: “It was crystal clear to me that the future and, indeed, the very existence of America, were irrevocably entwined with Asia and its island outposts.”

This is undoubtedly true and Asia is perhaps less well known to many Americans than Europe. America is more comfortable dealing with Europe. There may be an ideological tendency in the States to view China as a pariah nation ready to go to war with us, but the Chinese are extremely pragmatic in their dealings, including those concerning Taiwan. Though Mr. Kaplan’s book will probably be a good read, I cannot in my lifetime see the Chinese doing anything to jeopardize their relationship with America.

The exception could possibly arise if what Mr. Kaplan dismisses as a blip - the Middle East - blows up into something much larger, for example, Muslim fundamentalism taking hold in a nation that possesses weapons of mass destruction and then proceeds to use them, in which case all regional power struggles would run riot.

In my view, the indirect influence of religious fundamentalism, as it goes under borders and recruits believers in its extremism, is a far greater threat to the world’s stability than China’s indirect influence of "establishing business communities and diplomatic outposts” throughout the world.

Posted by Noel Guinane at May 31, 2005 4:48 PM

I read the story. It seems to me that the writer is steorotyped.

US will never fight against China.

Posted by Snake in fall at May 31, 2005 7:48 PM

Not sure if I picked this link up here at TP but the Club of Amsterdam Summit for the Future predicts that by 2050 the United States will rank second in the most important economy in the world.

Posted by RTodd at June 1, 2005 7:10 AM

Felix, I am not endorsing Kaplan's story. I do not expect war with China. On the other hand, history teaches us (alas) that when China becomes the #1 economy it will surely be "more active" diplomatically ... which could be good or bad. Remember, they are a nation that still severely restricts the freedom of their people. Despite Guantanamo, America is not.

Posted by tom peters at June 1, 2005 8:42 AM

Yes, I know about the violations of human rights in China. But I wanted to stress that Kaplan´s article seems a bit tendencious. You are a man who always sees an opportunity in changes, the bigger the change, the bigger the opportunity, and that was also my point. (By the way, my post has disappeared).

Posted by felix gerena at June 1, 2005 9:11 AM

China acting up - disappearing POSTS - CHAOS as usual at the TP site! 1 China blog per day seems perfect [for now].

Kaplan is a hawk. The real Hawk reality is what Noel reports: Islamofascism is the Hot War for now and the future - mainly because the "virtual state" of the conniving-low IQ/income terrorists makes it a challenge to exterminate them. Encouraging that EU members are arresting and exporting record numbers of terrorists.

The Coalition has done a brilliant job in stemming the tide of terror - 50 million newly freed right AT the cradle of Islamofascism. 50,000 died on USA highways last year - why aren't the radical NYTimes and Democrats' radical left-wing "leadership" going wild about photos of THAT - TOO low-energy LAZY?

Posted by Sean at June 1, 2005 12:30 PM

Yes, there is some chaos here at tp.com today. We're scrambling here behind the scenes to rectify the situation. Please hang in with us. Our apologies to all of you having trouble posting.

Posted by Erik Hansen at June 1, 2005 1:43 PM

Not sure where this is the perfect thread to ask, so if I am wrong please do point pot. I am a 22-yr-old Indian student, about to join Indian software industry. I will like to know about Tom's viewpoint on India as a upcoming strong economy and how he analyzes the chances and challenges faced by India Inc. If there is already an existing post, please redirect me to it.

Posted by Sayan at June 1, 2005 3:56 PM