We begin the second year of publication of the Journal of the Washington Institute of China Studies with an article on a topic which main stream public administration journals will not touch. It deals with a topic that the general public knows exists but which public administration scholars refuse to recognize – pathological government. Why do so many government programs fail to resolve problems and primarily only spend tax payers money. This enables politicians to buy votes with our taxes. Politicians walk away with more dreams to expand the size of government and keep incumbents reelected. Government remains the only institution that can make corruption legal. If one doubts this look at the tax code. Professor Bingman explores the topic based on his long career in government and as a consultant to many countries. His vast experience is not based on statistics or counting noses but rather on experience. This topic is worth pursing from a world wide perspective not merely US and PRC.
The next two topics focus on highly important issues in the Peoples Republic of China. The first is the banking system which can be the primary reason for Chinese economic collapse. By international standards the entire banking system is in danger of this collapse. Will the government bail out the entire system? Can it afford not to? Can it do so? The second issue is the infamous one-child policy which is the backbone of China’s attempts to control its population. Are there any options? This issue has world wide implications which this article examines from an ethical standpoint.
The next article deals with an issue that is a bone of contention between the US & PRC - Intellectual Property Rights. Are China’s attempts to comply with world wide standards likely to be effective? Do they want to be effective if it costs China a large degree of economic growth-its number 1 priority? What trade off does the PRC face?
The next two articles are advocacy pieces by Chinese authors. One addresses the economic development of Chongqing, the World War II capital of Nationalist China, and how it is growing into a city of over 30 million people. The second article is by two Nankai University professors and deals with the textile industry in the PRC and its future prospects in world markets.
The final piece deals with China-Africa trade and the attempts of China to find sources of oil to fuel Chinese economic expansion.
We hope readers find these controversial issues worth exploring from various view points not just US and Chinese. Thank you.
Bernard T. Pitsvada, Editor
