The poorcountries are having to run faster and fasterin their economic activity in order tostay in the same place, andthe gap in wealth between rich and poor countries growswidereveryyear.
That does not bode well for a country which will face enormous social and economic stresses in the coming years as its state-owned industries crumble, its markets open wider to foreign competition, thegap between rich and poor grows, corruption spreads and a fast-growing middle class begins to demand greater political involvement.