China – is it really the economic powerhouse we think?
In a new book, Will Hutton, the editor of the Observer and well-known economic commentator, has argued that we have overstated the economic threat from China. He argues that their economic model is flawed and that extensive corruption in the system is distorting economic growth in the country. The article below from the Guardian is an edited extract from his new book that considers many of these issues.
Power, corruption and lies Guardian (8/1/07)
Questions
| 1. | “….. the transition from communism remains fundamentally problematic”. Discuss the extent to which these problems are likely to affect the pace of development in China. |
| 2. | Explain what Will Hutton means by ‘Leninist corporatism’. Why does he believe this to be a problem for China? |
| 3. | Assess the likely impact of corruption in China on long-term development and the rate of economic growth. |