China is a fascinating country. Its rapid economic growth and transformation over the last few decades has been unprecedented in history. The big question for the world economy is can this growth continue? Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson argue that China must develop inclusive political institutions if it is to continue on this high-growth path. Others suggest that China's demographic time-bomb may operate to slow its growth. China's one-child policy, which has been operating for three decades, has resulted in an unbalanced population in terms of age and gender. However, this policy has also resulted in invasive state interference in the lives of women and families - click here to read a horrific account of the out-workings of the one-child policy. Can China's growth continue with such endemic oppression? Has such oppression been helpful to China's economic growth?
