As Russia and the other countries of the former Soviet Union move their economies away from the inefficient autarky of the Soviet era towards a more efficient integration with the world economy, considerations of trade and investment will prevail over other forces.

ECONOMIST: Still most awkward partners

We discussed some of the broader challenges of getting a meaningful Copenhagen agreement and continuing to stabilize the world economy and promoting growth, both through trade and investment and also through what has been discussed throughout the ASEAN summit, the idea of inclusive development and growth where it's not just at the top but is spread out among the population.

WHITEHOUSE: Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore

The rise of such a currency should be a major boost to global economic growth and prosperity, empowering the world economy to trade in currency not subject to inflation, devaluations, and variation in real market value.

FORBES: Rethinking Money: The Rise Of Hayek's Private Competing Currencies

China's gradual re-entry into the global economy during the 1990s, and its recent acceptance as a member of the World Trade Organisation, mark the end of this phase.

ECONOMIST: Asian companies and the China challenge

Trade imbalances are the base of the economic iceberg that sank the west and the world economy.

FORBES: We're All Currency Manipulators These Days

The huge changes that have swept the world economy since 1980 globalisation, deregulation, the information-technology revolution and the associated expansion of trade, capital flows and global supply chains narrowed income gaps between countries and widened them within them at the same time.

ECONOMIST: After a period on the wane, inequality is waxing again