I don't think they offer hope beyond their own borders. India may rise to be a liberal world power with a free people and parliamentary government, but that doe

I don't think they offer hope beyond their own borders. India may rise to be a liberal world power with a free people and parliamentary government, but that doesn't really give me hope that the many other nations in the region will follow in their footsteps. For leaders to give up power requires clear and powerful incentives. Both India and South Africa were British colonies who had some elements of British politics & liberty passed onto them. The freedom of these peoples, if they maintain it, will be down to their history. Other nations, particularly in Africa, are looking keenly on at China's economic miracle, and realising for the first time in history that liberalism is not a requirement for a thriving market economy. For decades, if not centuries, this has been the established rule. What's so dangerous about China apparently breaking the rule is that every leader, autocrat and downright despot with a population hungry for a better life will now realise that there is a path where they can give their people a better life but they can keep their own power. Before, it was clear that liberty, at least to some extent, went along with prosperity. If and when when African nations get their feet out of the mud it will shake the foundations of the global order. I desperately want to see their power and authority granted and restrained by free and equal peoples. If they follow in China's footsteps that certainly won't be the case.