Awakening

Why is Asia rising now?

I think nobody can answer this question better than Mr Kishore Mahbubani, the current Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. This gentleman, who's so charismatic and has had an impressive political career, gave the most amazing speech during a recent luncheon - highlighting the 7 pillars that make a difference, namely:

1. Open market operations
2. Advancement in Technology
3. Elimination of Aristrocracy
4. Pragmatism
5. Peace
6. Rule of Law
7. Education

However what really got everyone's attention was what was not on the list - he concluded by sayin - "If I had presented the same ideas to a western audience, they wld be puzzled by DEMOCRACY not making to the list at all. To which I would answer, it is not important my friend"

To my surprise, I was not offended by his comments, actually I thought that it was well said reflecting the ideological differences of the EAST and the WEST. What really matters is not how the government is elected but what its intentions are.