Since capitalism is based on human greed, the question is where will be the limits to this greed? The capitalistic invisible hand postulates that if every one pursues self-interest, the result will be ideal for the common good. Competition will cut down excesses and profits will motivate extra effort. That is the ideal of capitalism except that it has some conditions that are difficult to encounter in the real world, namely no monopoly or oligopoly or restraints to competition. In the case of China, or for that matter for other nations, is the socialistic motivation enough to restrain monopolistic tendencies. The ideal of socialism is the greatest good to the greatest number. The feasibility or the probability of achieving this in the real world is dim. As they say power corrupts, while wealth and riches engender desire for even more riches not withstanding the suffering of others. If you take a look at the present world, there are 10 percent who are extremely rich, another 50 percent rich or at least with enough for their daily needs, but 40 percent without the basic needs for normal life. The question is whether in China, or in any other nation, capitalism can be restrained by the motives of socialism. The answer is that this can happen only with great difficulty or not at all. The only force that can mitigate capitalistic greed is a next world where each one will have to account for his actions or inaction in this world. Not all but almost all human beings believe in this next world for otherwise life would be very unfair. The evil doers get a big share of material goods available while the conscience followers are often deprived of the necessary goods of this earth. But in the end the expectations is that justice and fairness will prevail. And even those who do not believe in the next life may occasionally be bothered by the irrationality of their position and feel the desire for justice and fairness.

Going back to the new prosperity and economic clout of China, the question is how will she use this and how will her actions affect other nations. The unknown is always a threat but judging from her history China is inward looking and would not be interested in invading others. The invasion of Mongolia and Korea are exceptions that confirm the rule. What China is faulted at present is her non-involvement in others as in the problem of Darfur. The accusation is that her self-interest in getting the oil of Sudan she ignores the suffering of those displaced by the civil war. She is accused of supplying guns to both sides. She is not yet involved in the welfare of others. The Chinese are very clannish and internal problems have priority. Neither have the more developed countries involved themselves to the extent they should in the human welfare of other nations. However, this does not excuse China from the obligations of her new prosperity. <emeterio_barcelon@yahoo.com>