Will Hutton’s: The Writing on the Wall: China and the West in the 21st Century—BOOK REVIEW

This book, The Writing On the Wall, by Will Hutton, is just great.  It’s only flaw is that it’s at least 100 pages too long—and there is a specific 100 pages that could be cut out with nothing lost.Chapters 1-8 are as good as any book I’ve ever read on China.  Even if the pre1980’s history is a bit long winded, it sets up nicely what Hutton attacks in chapters 4-8, namely that China is ill-equipped to have a transparent political or economic system like that of the US.In my opinion, the best chapters are 4-8.  Chapter 4 on the congruencies of the capitalist and communist systems, chapter 5 on the political difficulties facing the state, chapter 6 on economic frustrations within the current system, Chapter 7 on the necessary political preconditions for a fully functioning capitalist system and Chapter 8 on the social infrastructure that is mandatory to perpetuating the current economic growth; all fantastic.I repeat, the first half of this book is spot on in terms of describing, in theory exactly what China is like.  The analysis of the systems of cronyism, corruption, weak R&D in the corporate world, a lack of innovation in either the public or private spheres, ineffective leadership and a lack of international presence by China’s domestic companies are not only revealing but useful in understanding much about the larger system within which individual companies must operate.I reprinted (without permission, but with full source citations—is that OK? What are the online rules for this?) a section on corruption on this blog last month.  It’s exactly what we see in factories on the ground each day and what many recovering from the post -0lympic hangover are now discovering with the milk scandal.This is China from 30 thousand feet and it’s a fantastic and detailed perspective.  It cuts past all the the “china will rule the world” platitudes and focuses not on if or when but what the internal workings of now are.  And how those specific structures are prepared (or not) for supporting another superpower.  The position of Hutton is that China is decidedly not the “next” hegemonic superpower.  Not because there are others to share power with and not because China claims to not be reaching for this goal.  But because despite the physical infrastructure and fantastic numbers China has serious fatal flaws.According to Hutton, education that promotes innovation is nonexistent.  A legal system and the social structures (free press, individual freedoms) that will support a credible financial system are either hollow or corrupt and getting worse, not better. The maintenance of political power at all costs rather than the development of a stable and self continuing political system seems to be the task at hand for the CCP.For some reason, chapters 9-11 (about 100 pages) are really more critique on the US (and almost nothing about the corresponding situations in England, Australia or EU at all).  After reading it all, I’m still struggling to try to understand what the point of these chapters is.  Sure, it’s nice to understand how the US is fundamentally different from China.  And it’s nice to realize that there are some serious current deficits in the US practices that will allow some great opportunities/advantages to China.  But knowing that Enlightenment ideas/institutions are necessary for Western style democracy and capitalism and then assuming that nothing short of replication of these in China will sustain their market economy and political system is a stretch, even for an unashamed flag-waving, American like me.My doubting of the accuracy of Hutton’s conclusions does nothing to decrease the value of the description of China and it’s current malaise.  Indeed, the willingness to be labeled a China Basher and become a target of scorn and derision for all the Chinese whose feelings will be hurt by this critique is laudable.  This book is detailed and honest look into the depths of China’s successes, failures and future.Highly recommended.