Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Is the USA in 'irreversible decline'?

By Steven Meyer - posted Tuesday, 17 July 2012


China is great manufacturing platform. It is not yet a great manufacturing power. Only when it owns the intellectual property will it become a manufacturing power.

Question:

Can an authoritarian regime nurture the sort of creativity that is needed to transform China from a manufacturing platform into a manufacturing power?

Advertisement

If the experience of Taiwan and South Korea is any guide the answer is "Yes, up to a point." After that things get tricky.

With those myths out of the way, what do the brightest and best of China's people think about the USA?

In 2011 723,277 foreign students enrolled in US universities. Of these 157,588 were from China, an increase of 23% on the previous year. Other popular countries of origin were India (103,895) and South Korea (73,351). Most Chinese students were studying STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) disciplines.

(See: Chinese students enroll in record numbers at U.S. colleges, Washington Post, 14 November 2011)

Not all, but the majority, of Chinese students stay on in the US after graduation and build their lives there. For a country supposedly in terminal decline the USA seems to be awfully attractive to the brightest and best from its major strategic rival.

(See: China fears brain drain as its overseas students stay put The Guardian, 2 June 2007)

Advertisement

So, to repeat my question:

Can an authoritarian regime nurture the sort of creativity that is needed to transform China from a manufacturing platform into a manufacturing power?

I think the answer is probably not on a sustainable basis while the US and others provide such attractive alternatives.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. Page 5
  7. 6
  8. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

68 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Steven Meyer graduated as a physicist from the University of Cape Town and has spent most of his life in banking, insurance and utilities, with two stints into academe.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Steven Meyer

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 68 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy