International Law

China vs. India On Poverty Reduction. China Gets The Kudos Here.

By Dan

When people criticize China too harshly, I like pointing out the incredible (unprecedented?) job it has done in bringing its people out of poverty. Don't get me wrong. Hundreds of millions in China still suffer from real poverty, but compared to China's recent history, the transformation has been, well, transformative. Starvation and illiteracy have been nearly eradicated. China still has a long way to go (what country other than Denmark, Sweden, and Norway do not?), but that should not detract from what it has done.

I was reminded of that today when I spoke with a client who just returned from a month in India and then read a depressing Wall Street Journal article, entitled, "In India, Doubts Gather Over Rising Giant's Course," The article notes how India's increased wealth has failed to trickle down. It's a fascinating article and it only reinforces what China has accomplished. 

Read it and then let us know what you think. Has China been that much more successful than India in ameliorating poverty? If so, why do you suppose that is?  Communism versus capitalism?  Manufacturing versus service industry? Cultural differences regarding equality or poverty? Something else?

Speak now or forever hold your peace.

Full post as published by China Law Blog on March 31, 2011 (boomark / email).