This is because they are interested in increasing their overall bottom line numbers at all costs. While, their American counterparts want to see an increase in market share and address a host of social issues. As they believe that the community is playing a vital role in helping to support the organization and its success. This is significant, because it shows how American entrepreneurs want to offer everyone some kind of program that will help to address a host of problems affecting their communities. (Studwell)
A good example of this can be seen by looking no further than Bidu.com. What happened was the firm was established by Google based on a desire to rapidly expand into China. At first, Google was considered to be the dominant player in the industry. However, the Chinese government began to impose a host of restriction on what content was available. Reluctantly, the company agreed to these restrictions even though they were against their basic philosophy. Once there was there an attempted attack on their Gmail service (which was supported by the Chinese government) is when there was a shift in the company's approach. As executive felt that these actions were inappropriate and closed their offices in the country. At the same time, they had sold the majority of their stake in Bidu. This is important, because it is showing the difference in philosophy between Asian and American billionaire. As the Americans, want to see an increase in their profit margins and responsibly address social issues. While many Asian billionaires, are not interest in dealing with social issues. Instead, they are focused on increasing their profit margins as much as possible. (Jeffires 461-475)
To what extent have the Asian Godfathers succeeded in creating wealth? To what extent have they succeeded in expropriating that wealth? To what extent have they succeeded in maintaining repressive dictatorial political regimes?
The Asian godfathers have been successful in creating wealth. This has been accomplished by attracting large amounts of foreign direct investment capital and utilizing it to help support the economy....
Once this took place, they were able utilize these changes to give them greater amounts of control and influence during the process. This is when they were able to increase their overall net worth and influence where the profits were going. Over the course of time, this has allowed them to take a percentage of the large amounts of investment capital and use this to help build new businesses. At the same time, they have left the current political structure in place to prevent the redistribution of wealth. As they can use government officials, to increase their overall bottom line numbers at the expense of the general public. (Studwell)
Are there signs that Milton Friedman will ultimately be proven correct?
There signs that illustrate how Freidman could be proven correct. While there other theories that are highlighting how his thinking may be fundamentally flawed. What is happening is Friedman's theory on free market principals, will help to improve the standard of living inside the region. This will allow many of the poor to see an increase in their purchasing power and income. Over the course of time, this will create a situation where there will be significant changes in many societies. The reason why, is because they have more money and higher levels of education. This will lead to shift in the kinds of government they want to run their country. Once this occurs, is when there will be a transformation in many societies throughout the region (with the majority embracing democratic principals). (Studwell)
However, a second alternative is that the repressive governments could use the improvements in the standard of living to highlight how they are addressing the needs of the people. This is when many individuals will support these policies because they are providing them with something more. As a result, the ideas of Milton Freidman could be proven to be incorrect. (Studwell)
Bibliography
Jeffries, Ian. Political Developments in Contemporary Society. New York: Rutledge, 2010, Print.
Studwell, Joe. Asian Godfathers. London: Profile Books, 2007. Print.
