I refer to the article Entering a brave new era .

Woo's article on globalisation tries to demonise the present trend of free trade and romanticise the good old days of government control of the economy. Of course, he doesn't say that directly, but instead blames the Americans - always a safe bet.

In fact, countries around the world have been eagerly joining the WTO, not because the big bad US told them to do so, but because it was in their own best interest. Most countries also found that governments do a truly lousy job of running industries and that privatising them improved life for both the rich and poor.

Woo's comments on the social programmes in America shows he is not familiar with the US at all. He is apparently unfamiliar with food stamps, education scholarships, Medicare, etc.

I'm sure he believes everything would be so much better if the world gave up free trade and if the government takes over industry and tax the rich into oblivion - in other words socialism, a failed economic model by any standard.