globalization and the two chinas

From the perspective of the United States, circa 2006, the central storyline of the 21st century involves the confrontation between a (mostly) Judeo-Christian, secular-leaning "West", and a less-secular, (mostly) Muslim "Middle East". Keep in mind that this is not a simple "clash of civilizations" but rather a multi-layered and very complicated collection of issues and relationships. Obviously, terrorism/security and oil/energy/environment are at the top of the list. From a less U.S.-centric point of view, however, I'm inclined to believe that an even bigger storyline will unfold this century: the globalization and urbanization and modernization of China. Already the world's biggest country demographically, its rapid economic growth the last quarter century is fast making it the world's biggest country economically as well. While much of this very old and proud civilization remains quite traditional (which also means rural and not "developed"), and will remain so for a pretty long time, there is another China--mostly urban and on/near the coast--that already belongs firmly to the modern, global world, so much so that it already is largely indistinguishable from the likes of Europe, Japan, or the United States. For a glimpse of this "new" China, check out the following pop-culture, Internet-age phenomenon: the "Back Dorm Boys", who in the last year have become true international celebrities. Wikipedia Entry Video #1 Video #2 One final comment: while they initially rose to fame on the strength of the Back Street Boys, thus suggesting that globalization is basically "westernization", their subsequent videos have covered the work of East Asian pop stars. This says to me that in the long run, there will be no single "hearth" of global culture that the rest of the world simply marches behind--not Europe, not the USA. Instead, people all over the globe, as long as they are willing and able to participate, will be both leading and following us in all sorts of new directions. If you're open to diversity and change, this promises to be a very exciting future; if you're more into things staying the same, you're going to have a harder and harder time finding a place of comfort and refuge.