EARL’S WORLD---13
The stage is set for the last half of our voyage and our courses are focused on India and China, the world’s largest democracy, and the world’s largest and fastest growing economy. They contain one third of the world’s population and their economies are growing in double digit rates. They are spear heading the globalization movement.
India is governed by 3.2 million elected local officials and 5000 legislators in 27 states, three of which are communist. China’s authority is a national council of 12 persons and
a president elected by the council. The two countries are at peace with each other but
there are issues of stress. The three contentious issues are border problems involving some minorities, the nuclear arms issues, and the Tibetan government in exile in India. A major problem in China besides environmental pollution is migration of masses to the cities. There are 36 cities in China with over a million people. Both countries are producing adequate food but they are struggling for energy sources. China is relying heavily on coal and that accounts for it’s deadly air pollution. China had strengthened its education in lower grades. India is increasing it’s higher education, 25% of whom are getting degrees in high tech subjects. And that bit for background.
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