if you ask the Chinese to name a Chinese philosopher, they'll say Lao Zi, Confucius. That was 5,000 years or 2,000 years ago, you know? And you can't say a major culture of dominant economy in the world, the last time they produced a philosopher was 2,000 years ago. That's sad. That's really sad, and I do think free thinking has a lot to do with it.

This spring I saw a segment of PBS's Frontline, I believe, that dealt with the attempt to establish the very concept of a legal system and of the people using laws, lawyers and courts to resolve disputes in the countryside.  The government was sending young lawers out into villages to hear and resolve disputes.  The workings of an emerging justice system were shown.  The law having always been that the local strong man gets what he wants, and people hope he respects customs.

Is there any evidence that schools are starting to educate the next generation about concepts of civic responsibility?  It seems to me that currently China has the Confucian tradition, the Communist Party and "it is glorious to be rich" as a governing framework.  I have my doubts as to the adequacy of that framework.

Anything further you can add will be appreciated.  Keep up the good work.  

If sanity be culturally normative, then by the norms of this culture I claim insanity.