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by mindvirus 1498 days ago
Where did China get the money to do all of that? They're the poster child of benefiting from globalization and free-trade.
1 comments

Money came from global trade. That trade could be possible there because the pre-Deng governments prepared a very skilled workforce. In order to have usable skills, one needs to be fed, clothed, educated, in relatively good health, housed and should be able to get to their workplace.

Governments investing on critical infrastructure, and basic services that give a foundation of opportunity is a precondition to growth led by industrialization/trade.

This thread is about how the governments can use their money and power to uplift the underprivileged, and not about mechanisms for the government to make money. It is a conversation on leaving the poor to "market forces" vs. governments ensuring basics to the impoverished.