Rather than the American Century, the 21st century could easily turnout to be the Chinese Century.

It is interesting that Communist China by making use of Western progressive ideas has followed an early suggested progression of a worker's revolution suggested by Karl Marx. Mainly referring to commercial progression, and also possibly following the advice of his teacher, Wilhelm Hegel, Marx suggested that in a social revolution not to divert from the already rapidly proven technologies of the Western industrial powers. Give credit to the enemy where it is due, and make better use of it.

Marx apparently never mentioned China, but must have known how Napoleon predicted that the long-term global future could belong to China, the sleeping giant. If also a student of history, Napoleon might have also mentioned Confucianism, the ancient urge for learning and enquiry, also said to have been infused into some aspects of Buddhism, and now showing up strikingly not only in Chinese students in our universties, but also among most East Asian students, particularly from Singapore. As it has been so close to China for centuries
it is no surprise that India too might have been influenced by Confucianism and could also now be regarded as having been a sleeping giant.

Furthermore, these countries, though adopting ultra-modern Western business ideas and technologies, still might not need to adopt Western-style democracies.

Of course, the above are only musings from an old-timer who reads and studies a bit more than most. Yet it could be said that in the future our unipolar US of A, as well as our Australia, had better look to their Ps and Qs.

Regards - Bushbred

Our Priminister when reasoning his decisions toward IR changes has stated that if we are as a Nation to be competitive our bench marks are China and India.

On reasoning this statement of our Priminister, I question how China and India are anywhere comparitive to a reasonable and case sensitive comparision, both economically and culturally

Why not the economies of New Zealand, Scotland, Ireland, England even America?

Where is our Priminister vision and reasoning heading the Australia wage earner if they are to compete with China and India who have an obviously larger population?

Are we to be call the "Gladiators". Because it sure does sound like a blood bath.

The same bath our manufacturing, textile, utilities and agriculture has taken.