I think its going to be fascinating to watch what happens with China in the next 20 years or so. Usually when a society gets a large enough middle class, that is when you begin to see a lot of changes. Happened in europe when those uppity traders and mercantile people started demanding changes in the laws, governments, property rights etc. from the aristocracy. Its the middle class that begins to be concerned with the environment, quality and safety of products, etc.
Here is an interesting thought to ponder. When I look around the world and imagine how the winds of change will blow... I see something like this happening.
In time China will become one of the most powerful countries on the planet. (probably after a downswing) They will maintain a form of government much like what they have now. This form of government is able to act quickly and descisively with issues by decree. Whether it be pollution controls, crime, education, control of the excesses of the media and internet, or economic policy. This will be envied by many in the western world, particularly the US. Little by little our politicians and people will nudge our system and form of government to be like theirs (not by actually saying or intending to be like China, but never the less by promoting policies that will in the end have that effect ) with a stronger federal government, possibly a much stronger president, in a mistaken attempt to be able to match Chinas perceived nimbleness, growing wealth, low crime, health, education, etc. But at the expense of our liberty, our messy democracy.
The first real hints of this wont start happening for another 15 years or so, but in 20 or so, you will definitely begin to see what I am talking about.
All this barring we dont destroy ourselves in some global world war, asteroid from outer space, or the second coming. Which all indications seem to point to them all as happening in the 2030's. [
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