The China market might not materialize. For now, all the trade agreement and China's potential membership in the WTO can do is reinforce changes already taking place. And yet one of the grandest illusions of Western policy has been that it can change China. And when the Chinese went their own way, they often felt betrayed. Key to this historical arrogance is the American idea that market forces can rapidly transform an authoritarian regime into a model democracy.
China brings a sense of nationalism to many endeavors, easily offended by American narcissism.
Which also helps explain why the U.S. bombing of the Belgrade embassy touched off popular protests. For, by doing so, we miss the realities that actually shape the future. And if we expect too much out of this current agreement, it will only put off implementing it fully. Click here for Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Internet Safety Information applicable to this site.