This is a reflection on the Berlin Wall collapse 20 years ago. It's collapse not only brought political freedom from Communism, but also economic freedom from an inefficient, crumbling socialist system. The author noted that many East Berliners flocked to the West to buy fridges, jeans and Coke.
Comparing that event to today, the author laments how the pursuit of economic and political freedom have become disjoint. Countries like China and Russia are still governed by oppressive regimes while the world turns a blind eye because of the economic success of such nations. The idea of globalization has overtook the concern for social justice and welfare. However, things will change, whether it is an economically motivated reform that changes the political system, or, a political push that will likely destroy an economy. Both seem plausible.
1 comment:
I think this article was very interesting. I hadn't realized the extent that the world's goals of political liberalization 20 year ago had not been realized. I agree that the two are, as the article said, implicitly linked together. It is a negative thought (and something that hadn't come to my mind) that instead of bring the two concepts together by increasing political freedom, economic growth could be slowed to the point where politics and economics meet.
Post a Comment