Democratic Lessons from China?

♤ Despite the fact that the North-South divide is quite stark in China, there is plenty to learn from china - which in some ways acts more democratically than India.

♤ Though China lacks federal electoral democracy, its institutions focus on delivering services to its people and foreign investors. By raising crop prices and upgrading transportation and electricity networks, extreme poverty has fallen to under ten percent of the population.

♤ Locals have been involved in the design and implementation of massive micro-credit schemes in rural China, and almost $1 billion is spent annually on alleviating urban poverty.

♤ In many respects, India faces similar challenges. Ranked only 133 out of 188 countries in the UN Human Development Index, India’s per capita GDP still hovers under $1710. Its population growth of 1.7% reduces the impact of economic growth to about 4%.

♤ Malnutrition is estimated as high as 40% and real literacy is well below the official 65% statistic.

♤ Both India and China face rapid urbanization. Energy and water demand are greatest challenges to India. Both fear the spreading AIDS epidemic, which could cost India a generation in the words of Bill Gates. Like China, India’s bureaucracy either siphons or absorbs much of the meager expenditures on social development.