One thought on “Giving Credit Where It Is Due”

1. Goldman Sachs’ analysis of the BRIC ecimonoes is bullish to say the least. In the next 45 years, the economic growth of Brasil, Russia, India, and China will have, e2€œenormous influence on every aspect of our societies.e2€9d This leads one to ponder how the US may be influenced by the rise of these vast and populous nations. A budding middle class, or consumer market, will act as a snowball effect on the rate of growth for the BRIC nations. If American style e2€˜big-boxification’ replicates itself as the middle class consumption model of choice in BRIC, it is predictable that a large amount of resources will be required to accommodate demand. All nations are entitled to their fun playing the consumption game. It will, nevertheless, be interesting to see how all the world’s nations choose to allocate finite resources over the long-term. What will be the state of the US’s ego in a multipolar economic reality? Will we be fearful and defensive? It’s arguable that we have already experienced a surge in US resentment towards China and Russia. This surge is multi-faceted, but economic forfeiture is a factor. On a personal level, I witness the suspicion and distrust of China when I visit my redneck buddies in the north. One friend sent a mass email about the atrocious act of flying the Chinese flag in DC during a China/US diplomacy visit. I suggested it may be our way of thanking China for being the US’s #1 lender. The growing middle class of the BRIC nations will certainly lead to a better educated globe. It is hopeful heightened education connects ideas and spreads knowledge. It is hopeful that as the globe’s educated see themselves as a piece of the whole. Let’s also hope intellectuals in the US and maybe even my redneck pals gain some sort of awareness for the world outside our border. Fear-based reactions to the rise of the rest will prove futile and recessive for the overall human community.

   Log in to Reply