How rugged is the landscape ? If it is "uphill both ways" like West Virginia, parts of the Rockies, with swift rivers in big canyons creating real barriers, then many of these "lacks" probably cover most of the reasons.
If, however, there is a central mountain area, but around it are rolling hills and streams and rivers that can be forded half a year, then it might be useful to look for additional reasons.
Do the people have a sense of national identity as Chinese, or do they see themselves as part of a clan, group, or tribe and look to tribal norms for guidance ? That is one thing that has held Africa back, a lack of national and political consciousness which is stronger than tribal identity.
If you hire someone from group A to run things, will you come back to find all the employees hired are 80% from group A with a few group B doing menial tasks ? Or will you get a good mix of people from groups A through H ?
Someone would have to be very well connected to get all competent people from group A....
I expect you and your friends have an unspoken agreement that "Advancing Greater China" is a good thing, and that you view it in a world wide and historical context - and maybe you automatically assume that other Chinese hold the same views.
Most people may not have as wide a view as you.
When I traveled away from Silicon Valley, Moore's Law and the idea of getting more people on the internet with higher bandwidth seemed like an odd hobby to many people... |
