Collecting thoughts and ideas from a recent book, "The Dragon's Gift: The Real Story of China in Africa." Having a discussion about development in the modern age without discussing the impact of China on the Global South is plain ignorance; the role of the world's rising superpower cannot be overstated in the developing world over the last decade, and even, the last 60 years. The decline of the West and the rise of Asia is the great movement of the modern age; what will this enormous shift mean for global poverty alleviation and humanitarian response, moving into the near future?
What path will China walk moving forward in both internal and external development? Will increased global power bring increased global commitments and responsibility? Will the dragon focus within? Will non-intervention, supremacy of sovereignty, and resources-for-infrastructure rule the day? And what are the ramifications for this in the lives of the citizens of the bottom billion?
"If you plan for a year, plant a seed. If for a hundred years, teach the people. When you sow a seed, you will reap a single harvest. When you teach the people, you will reap a hundred harvests."
-Confucius
What path will China walk moving forward in both internal and external development? Will increased global power bring increased global commitments and responsibility? Will the dragon focus within? Will non-intervention, supremacy of sovereignty, and resources-for-infrastructure rule the day? And what are the ramifications for this in the lives of the citizens of the bottom billion?
"If you plan for a year, plant a seed. If for a hundred years, teach the people. When you sow a seed, you will reap a single harvest. When you teach the people, you will reap a hundred harvests."
-Confucius
