When we talk about “world power” what do we really mean by that? If we consider the question in terms of economics, few would argue China’s “world power” status. But what happens when we stack China up against the top 5 world economies in terms of income and employment?
As the #4 leading economic world leader, China’s people earn 54% less than those living in Brazil (#10). China also maintains a rate of unemployment that is almost twice that of Brazil.
When compared to the average of the other top five economic powers, China lags far behind. The average income level in the peer countries of the U.S., Japan, Germany and The UK is $37,375 as compared to China’s income set at $5,300. China’s working class earns 87% less than the rest of the world while they struggle with unemployment rates that are approx. 300% higher than their economic peers. At the same time, China is lagging behind in health care, education, retirement benefits, and disability benefits.
#1: U.S. Per Capita - $46,000 ~Unemployment - 4.6%
#2: Japan Per Capita - $33,800 ~Unemployment - 4%
#3: Germany Per Capita - $34,400 ~Unemployment - 9.1%
#4: China Per Capita - $5,300 ~Unemployment - 16% (Est)
China's prosperous surface masks a rising sea of joblessness
that could threaten the country's stability
#5: U.K. Per Capita - $35,300 ~Unemployment - 5.4%
#6: France Per Capita - $33,800 ~Unemployment - 8%
#7: Italy Per Capita - $31,000 ~Unemployment - 6.7%
#8: Canada Per Capita - $38,200 ~Unemployment - 5.9%
#9: Spain Per Capita - $33,700 ~Unemployment - 7.6%
#10: Brazil Per Capita - $9,700 ~Unemployment - 9.8%
What yardstick do we use to gauge world status power? From my side of the fence, I have a difficult time accepting China as a world power because their prosperity is more a mirage than a reality. Gross Domestic Product is a doppleganger that doesn’t mean anything unless it translates to prosperity shared among the people. In terms of prosperity, the majority of people in China continue to live in abject poverty. The lives of the commonwealth do not communicate success or prosperity. The disturbing market-economy trend in China has left too many people behind. The deficiencies mentioned earlier are issues that must be addressed. In the meantime, I absolutely reject China’s claim as a world power.
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I'm at a loss to understand why China is considered an economic "power". Perhaps power is defined only as gross national product, or in terms of the amount of trade a nation engages in. I certainly don't see how a nation with citizens suffering the abject poverty of the Chinese can consider themselves to be a world leader in any context.
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