Howard Steven Friedman writes in the Huffington Post about the incredible economic growth in China and the high degree of income inequality between the haves and have nots—a growing problem in America too (but Friedman doesn’t mention that).
Friedman concludes by saying, “For China to continue its growth rate, it will need to address inequality systematically and aggressively.” He mentioned large numbers of men with limited social mobility and few job or family prospects and warns that this inequality could lead to political instability and discontent.
Friedman also doesn’t mention that in the 1930s, there was a huge gap between lifestyles in urban America and the rural U.S. since only 10% of farm families had central station electricity in the mid 1930s.
It took America forty-five years to establish a power grid in one state, Pennsylvania. China has accomplished this feat for all of its cities in less time. Source: America Electrified — China’s Road Map
In fact, Friedman points out [without knowing it] the solution that will soften the threat of political instability when he writes, “the Chinese government is trying to modernize the countryside in an effort to quell discontent.”
China may have learned how to deal with this potential threat from the U.S. by providing the same liquid and virtual drugs.
In America, watching TV is the leisure activity that occupied the most time (almost 3 hours a day). Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Like many Americans at the low end of the economic ladder, guzzling beer and staring at TV sooths discontent. There is no reason that won’t work in China too.
America ranks 14th globally in beer consumption and the Chinese 36th—an area that needs improvement to numb the have-nots. Source: List of countries by beer consumption per capita
However, for those who do not calm down, there is always prison and America has the largest prison population on the planet—another role model for China to study.
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Lloyd Lofthouse is the award-winning author of the concubine saga, My Splendid Concubine & Our Hart. When you love a Chinese woman, you marry her family and culture too.
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