as long as free, independent trade unions are illegal and prevented from operating freely

The thing is the Chinese are pretty smart, and saw what happened to Poland as a result of those unions. Granted since joining the EU, Poland has prospered, even leaving parts of England behind in terms of their economic development.

Many countries, especially the so called BRICS nations are challenging the idea that western democracy actually helps them, when in fact a strong central government with solid economic planning actually brings results. Even Obama himself remarked after a visit to Tianjins HSR station how much the USA's rail and transport infrastructure needs to be improved and updated. Doubtless, the yanks did an amazing thing building coast to coast highways in their new nation, but in terms of their airports and rail system, they are now lagging far behind even developing countries.

The problem I see with democracy is it involves too much hand wringing, look at the ongoing debate about the third runway for heathrow as an example, whereas a country like China or the United Arab Emirates, would simply build a whole new modern airport in record time, ready to receive the latest airplanes. The nearest airport to my hometown (manchester) does not even have the capability to serve the Airbus A380, which Emirates and others use, meanwhile Dubai has a whole terminal dedicated to it, and you can simply walk right off into the terminal...at manchester you have to be taxied and "parked" in some bay, and then bussed to the terminal. That is if the air traffic controllers are not on their coffee break at 7 am

Granted there are human rights issues in a lot of the brics countries, and the UAE, but their development is nonetheless impressive. While I feel India is lagging far behind China, they also have a chance to be the next China, whether that is good or bad.

Either way, an interesting post there, have a good sunday.