[color=#0000FF]The real reason that Asian societies have fallen behind European societies in the past five hundred years is a simple one: Asians have held Asia back.[/color]


But I do not want to end on a pessimistic note. There is hope for change. Globalization will generate new elites in Asia. So too will the increasing velocity of change. Huge numbers of Asians are being educated, at home and abroad. New global flows of information are opening the eyes of Asians. The "veil of ignorance" is being lifted. A new process of learning has begun. All these forces will generate new opportunities for Asian societies. But the first lesson that Asian societies must learn is how to develop, implement and maintain the right software: Meritocracy, peace and honesty.


http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/magazine/99/1231/century.main.html

Some Asian minds, including those of key policymakers, still linger in the feudal era. They see international relations as a zero-sum game. They have yet to learn the lessons that Japan and Germany absorbed after World War II: Power and prosperity can be acquired peacefully. The political dynamic of West Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia would become more comfortable if their leaders realized that peace is an essential condition for growth and prosperity in the modern world. Wars drive out investment dollars and kill (literally) talent. Peace does the opposite. Just one major war in Asia -- between any two major Asian powers -- could propel Asia back into the 19th century. Asians should learn from the wisdom of Deng Xiaoping when he said that future generations should be asked to solve today's territorial problems.

The third principle is "honesty." This sounds trite, but it is a polite way of drawing attention to one of Asia's most shameful aspects: Corruption. Successful societies have functional elites. They add more value to their societies than they take from it. Unsuccessful societies have corrupt elites. As a result of feudal attitudes, they become easily entrenched, even though they survive as parasites. Corruption exists in both the democratic and non-democratic societies of Asia (and indeed in other parts of the world). To successfully root it out, the rule of law has to be more firmly embedded in Asian societies.



http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/magazine/99/1231/century.main.html

Asian societies must learn is how to develop, implement and maintain the right software:

Meritocracy,
peace and
honesty

To successfully root corruption out, the rule of law has to be more firmly embedded in Asian societies.
<br><br>Post edited by: linsi, at: 2007/06/10 11:49

Quote from john;s posted article:

Is Hong Kong a model for China, or a threat? Is Hong Kong changing China, or China changing Hong Kong? Should Hong Kong become more Chinese or more international? &quot;Hong Kongers have no problem being culturally Chinese, but because of their history, many of them still see themselves as Hong Kong Chinese first, http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1630244_1630240,00.html



the article, is substantial, essential and timely for us here
i should say Hong Kong's bargainning power against China is its RULE OF LAW, its Basic Law is the door to the free world
where China makes it an eshtablishing factor for its economy.

it is also the key why Hong Kong attains its economic power
along with Japan and Singapore,learning the lessons of the three softwares the author of this article earlier mentioned


Meritocracy
Peace
Honesty

Is Hong Kong a model for China, or a threat? Is Hong Kong changing China, or China changing Hong Kong? Should Hong Kong become more Chinese or more international? &quot;Hong Kongers have no problem being culturally Chinese, but because of their history, many of them still see themselves as Hong Kong Chinese first, http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1630244_1630240,00.html



I should say in my own point of view-

Yes Hong Kong is a model for China
Hong Kong is changing China
Hong Kong never adopts to China on the other hand
Hong Kong remains Hong Kong as it seeks democratic
reforms through universal suffrage which
Beijing is compelled to implement.

Hong Kong in its capitalistic nature
is integral in its rule of law , it does not
adopt to China.

Hong Kong is the model for China.

I should say in my own point of view-

Yes Hong Kong is a model for China
Hong Kong is changing China
Hong Kong never adopts to China on the other hand
Hong Kong remains Hong Kong as it seeks democratic
reforms through universal suffrage which
Beijing is compelled to implement.

Hong Kong in its capitalistic nature
is integral in its rule of law , it does not
adopt to China.

Hong Kong is the model for China

[b]

Hong Kong is China's showroom for capitalism
and economic strength to the world.

[/b]<br><br>Post edited by: linsi, at: 2007/06/11 09:22

Asian societies must learn is how to develop, implement and maintain the right software:

Meritocracy,
peace and
honesty

To successfully root corruption out, the rule of law has to be more firmly embedded in Asian societies



Japan, singapore and Hong Kong learned the lesson from
the right software:

Meritocracy
peace
honesty-

linsi wrote:
[quote][color=#0000FF]The real reason that Asian societies have fallen behind European societies in the past five hundred years is a simple one: Asians have held Asia back.[/color]


I cannot agree more...in South East Asia alone...this is very obvious. Singaporeans Versus Malaysians..Filipinos versus Malaysians..these nations are competing with each other, whereas their economies are intertwined and truly dependent on each other.