One theme of this blog is that Oregon should look more to
develop and market goods and services abroad. That’s where markets are growing.
Economist Tyler Cowen in his regular NY Times column titled “Fruitful Decade
for Many in the World” remarks (here):
The raging economic growth rates of China and India are well known, though
their rise is part of a broader trend in the economic development of poorer
countries. Ideals of prosperity, freedom and the rule of law have probably
never been more resonant globally than they’ve been over the last 10 years,
even if practice often falls short. And for all of the anticapitalistic
rhetoric that has emerged from the financial crisis, national leaders around
the world are embracing the commercialization of their economies.
Putting aside the United States, which ranks third, the four most populous
countries are China, India, Indonesia and Brazil, accounting for more than 40
percent of the world’s people. And all four have made great strides. Indonesia
had solid economic growth during the entire decade, mostly in the 5 to 6
percent annual range. That came after its very turbulent 1990s, marked by a
disastrous financial crisis and plummeting standards of living.
Brazil also had a consistently good decade, with growth at times exceeding 5
percent a year. There is lots of talk that the country has finally turned the
corner, and, within its borders, there is major worry that its currency is too
strong — a problem that many other countries would envy.
Doesn’t it make sense for Oregon to reshape is public education system so
that more of its students learn the languages of China, India, Indonesia, and
Brazil and spend time as students in those countries?
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