Another potential rub in welcoming world finance is the rule-of-law problem: Capital markets function on trust, and welshing on derivatives contracts, for example, is not conducive to bringing big money to the mainland.

FORBES: Side Lines

And private equity would find it much more difficult to function without the rule that allows interest to be tax-deductible.

ECONOMIST: The unintended consequences of past financial reforms

It remains diverse today, and not in a way that is likely to facilitate popular rule once the forcing function of an American military presence is done.

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