Economic development was driven by an organizational learning process (i.e. by corporations), often encouraged by the State, that stimulated innovation and competitiveness.

The West s long period of global dominance is ending, encouraged and accelerated by its own mistakes and irresponsible behavior.

And earlier this summer, while hosting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Vietnam encouraged her to intervene in the growing maritime disputes between China and Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, and Vietnam itself.

What was the meaning of this moment of grace? Was it purely the product of a collective delusion, an emotional Potemkin village of sorts, encouraged, if not conceived, by the authorities to restore some level of self assurance among France s depressed citizens?