[superiorslots]

Quote: You must be kidding. Are you saying that the British colony developed for the purpose of international trade and derived from Chinese civilization can be "exactly the same place" as tribal Africa?



Most countries that have prospered over the centuries have had a seaport or major river system going up into the interior of their country. That is one reason why you cannot compare HK to Kenya.

[Toddsterpatriot]

Most countries that have prospered over the centuries have had a seaport or major river system going up into the interior of their country.

Wow, seaports and rivers are good for trading. And I thought you guys said trade was bad?

[austinTparty]

1. Kenya is a coastal country; Mombasa is a seaport. Whether or not a seaport becomes prosperous is a function of the trade going in and out of it. If you restrict trade, then obviously there is less prosperity in the seaport. QED.

2. Both of you are making circular arguments. I point out that Hong Kong is more prosperous because of a free economy and international trade rather than government control as in Kenya (which has far greater natural resources), and the argument is that you can't compare a place with international trade to one without it???

3. I never said that Kenya and HK were "exactly the same place"--merely that they had similar economic outlooks when they gained independence. The basis for prosperity in HK is trade and a relatively free economy; the basis for lack thereof in Kenya is a controlled economy and poor governance.