I hope that you are right that was with the UN toothless and the US penniless that the rest of the world gets about the business of improving their lives in a cooperative manner. It could turn out that all of the divisions in the countries of the world really are the result of proxy fights and manufactured mayhem. I really doubt it. I really doubt that the Somali pirates are a CIA fabrication, and as long as the US left it to the rest of the world, the situation only got worse. The Chinese and the Japanese hating each other long before they cared anything about the Europe. India and Pakistan are unlikely to develop a new found love between Buddism and Islam. It seems unlikely that the Malaysians will suddenly adopt human rights as a cost cutting measure. We are heading to some uncharted waters, and that is only bringing up one aspect of the changes/crises that are coming to a head.
I wasn't accusing you of thinking that. I was saying that there are subtle shades of racism, in response to your sweeping "racism is wrong". Many a right thinking Westerner would be shocked at an Indian's human rights being abused, or if he's going hungry.. yet might be equally shocked to think that same Indian could usurp his high flying legal or IT job. I live in the UK. I'd say we face pretty much identical economic risks, wouldn't you? Are blondes now a protected class? Suggesting that blacks, Jews, Orientals etc. have ALWAYS been protected classes? You are dismissing this thread as dumb because you can't answer the question. Did that work in high school?
Oh, and as far as successful goes, I will have to take your word for it. In my small experience, I have seen a few new products from Europe make it. I have seen fewer new products from Japan and Hong Kong make it. The rest must be outside of my limited knowledge. Patent statistics says otherwise, however.
....as if it's written in stone. Look, let me reiterate this point: globalization/outsourcing is here to stay. It's logical. Those who want to sit around bitching about it are wasting their breath. Even if you don't agree with the practice, accept it. Deal with it.
outsurcing is a bubble. unsustainable trend which has still a bit to run. Creating property bubbles, to mask lack of work can work only for a while.
I think I should clarify what I mean by wealth redistribution. I mean any transfer of wealth whatsoever. If you make a shedload of $ on Apple shares, it's wealth redistribution. When you pay tax, it's wealth redistribution. Whether it's done by government or individuals and/or companies of their own free will doesn't really matter.
Not really, money will flow where it can do the greatest work. What Americans will have to do is recognize that the standard of living of our nation is headed towards a global median. The question is, what will we look like when that median is reached?
It requires cheap raw materials and, most importantly, ultra-cheap fuel for transportation. Both of those are in the rearview mirror. There are reasons China's government is massively subsidizing commodity prices for their domestic producers.