Politics and Economics are like an old warring couple: they are completely dependent on each other, but neither will admit it. Politics, as Ronald Reagan once said, is the second oldest profession in the world and touches everything we do. Economics, given the recent slow down, is possibly even more central to our daily consciousness – for example, do British readers of this blog listen more to Robert Peston or Nick Robinson, the BBC’s main men for business and politics respectively. But together these two disciplines rule the world.
I have been fascinated by them both since an early age. As I grew up my passion spread from the narrow confines of Westminster and the UK to a more global view, and I have travelled widely to understand the world as best I can. We have now ended up living in the political and economic story of the 21st century: China.
Living in the heady Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, I will comment on how China’s rise is influencing the world, particularly the UK and Europe, but not ignoring North America of course. It is highly probable that China will soon be a dominant presence in everything we do, and this blog will be a window onto this new way of the world. I will seek out the stories that will most affect us in the West, and try to make the Chinese sphere and its politics and economics a bit more understandable.
If you have anything you want me to look at then please leave a comment and I will gladly take a look. In the meantime, happy reading and I hope you enjoy my ramblings.
“It is highly probable that China will soon be a dominant presence in everything we do, and this blog will be a window onto this new way of the world.”
China has had a dominant presence in most things I have done today. It’s not a question of soon, it’s a question of now. As an example, this laptop I am typing on might have been designed in California, but it was manufactured in China, from components sourced in China and Korea, from resources extracted in the Gulf, Africa and China.
China’s Confucio-Communist leadership grasped the importance of the physical economy and global supply chains while Westerners built a house of cards from consumerism and financialism. In the next half century they will reap the reward.
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
― Sun Tzu
Very good points indeed. I underestimate the power of the Middle Kingdom. But there is absolutely no reason why the UK and other Western nations can’t start thinking in a long term way too: it would though require a change in Govt mindset, but this is achieveable. After all, many Asian countries have done it already.
I will follow this blog with interest. BTW do you know any electrical powered tractor manufacturers in China.
I have a farm, and you need diesel to run it. I am looking for solar alternatives.
Thanks for the message. Alas I have no leads on this, but will have a look.
Hey Buddy if you’re farming in Australia I strongly recommend reading this:
http://www.newstatesman.com/environment/2011/01/lovell-carbon-ward-climate
Your views widen my scope on how the Euro is progressing, why that is and how places in the world think about the goings on. Thanks.
If you want my view – from Europe – on this crisis, it is available at: http://euro-meltdown.blogspot.com
Anthony
Thanks – will check it out