Hello Maurice, <<Which begs the question as to why the experience was not much use in economic development>>
... because Mao had no experience in that regard, and was learning on the job, whereas the country has the experience, as accumulated over the centuries, hardwired into the chromo-lattice, and actually had little to do with Japanese capital or the USA technology, for those are simply tools and nothing more; the turbo-charging had much more to do with the overseas Chinese compatriots' energy, talent, risk-taking, accumulated knowledge, and constructed network.
The "experience of the country" was simply more pronounced amongst the diaspora.
Now, Maurice, ask a more difficult question ;0)
<<Singapore and Hong Kong were colonized and they look pretty good>>
... and now they are not, and still look brilliant, therefore they might have looked brilliant in any and all cases. We would never know, but the truth in this case is not important, only the continuing action is.
Chugs, Jay |
