Originally Posted by mweber24

Good point about the PRC being on the same trajectory as South Korea and Taiwan. Both were dictatorships, both are not pretty democratic. I think a key commonality is that both made the transition while they were both still pretty prosperous and growing economically. A good economy can soothe internal resistance to change, while a bad economy makes people more likely to lash out at a perceived oppressor. I think you will find that the U.S. will breathe a huge sigh of relief if the PRC starts reforming more than its economy (of course OUR politician may have to find a new boogyman to blame our economic setbacks upon, first Japan, then China, WATCH OUT INDIA!)