Attacking corruption
Countries need to go after corrupt officials as well as business monopolies if they are to sustain economic growth
Compared to the show trials that communist dictators once specialized in, the recent trial of Chinese politician Bo Xilai seemed tame. The proceedings were said to be calm. The accusations were about bribes rather than evil capitalist plots to undermine the communist leadership.
And even though it is hard to judge how much of it involved a genuine quest for justice and how much plain political vendetta, the conviction of the man once tipped to lead his country does suggest that the campaign against corruption in China is genuine.
Bo is just the most important of several officials who have been jailed for corruption.
History tells us that countries need to go after corrupt officials as well as business monopolies if they are to sustain economic growth. The US did this 100 years ago. China seems to be making an attempt now. There is a lesson here for India as well.
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