Paths to Cities and the Global Economy
It is very good news that hundreds of millions are on the path to prosperity heading to cities for opportunities. Michael Cox used this example: imagine a few people dropped into a jungle, just one...
Category: U.S./China Engagement & Policy Reform
China Closer Than Chicago but Hawaii is Further
How far away is China from the United States? If you live on America’s west coast and buy or sell goods, China is usually closer than Chicago. Factories across the U.S. ship goods by...
China’s Migrant Workers: Exploitation or Escape from Rural Poverty?
“U.S. Presses China to Free Activists Scrutinizing Ivanka Trump Shoe Factory,” (New York Times, June 6, 2017) reports on labor activists detained by Chinese authorities and U.S. State Department pressure for their release. U.S....
China Forest Planning: Success or Failure?
The Chinese government has strong incentives to advance environmental goals, from reducing air and water pollution to restoring habitat and ecosystems. “Trees or Shrubs? Study Disputes Success of China’s $100 Billion Forest Effort,” (New York...
Poverty to Prosperity through Education and Entrepreneurship
For NSDA debaters transitioning from the China topic to federal K-12 funding and regulatory reform, consider the connection between child labor, education, and income inequality. Young people from low-income families could thrive with part-time opportunities...
China Infrastructure Spending Heads Down Silk Road
“Behind China’s $1 Trillion Plan to Shake Up the Economic Order,” (New York Times, May 13, 2017) profiles China’s massive infrastructure spending across Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe. China’s government has funded vast infrastructure...
To Live and Breath in Beijing
“Foreign Correspondents as They Live and Breathe,” (New York Times, March 30, 2017) reports on the still deadly air pollution in China: Ian Johnson, a China correspondent, took out his phone to check Air...
Brexit, Texit, Calexit, and the Future of China
Should the U.S. encourage China to further decentralize economic and political authority? Soft or full partition has been advocated for Iraq, Syria, and Libya. The politically-decentralized canton-nation of Switzerland, and past and modern city-states show the success of devolving political...
Protecting U.S. Producers from Benefits of Low-Cost Steel
A Wall Street Journal headline writer likely sensed something amiss with calls by U.S. steel producers for more protectionism. The August 12, 2015 WSJ print edition article by John W. Miller was titled: “Steelmakers Lodge New...
Blockchain Certify Food Imports from China
Food safety is always a challenge. Insuring food safety from suppliers in distant countries like China is even more of a challenge. “Blockchain: A Better Way to Track Pork Chops, Bonds, Bad Peanut Butter?,” (New...