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"Asia is a region with exceptionally hard-working individuals who tend to follow the rules. But the Confucian work ethic can also be used by political powers to justify social control and repression. Populations often end up being taken advantage of by their leaders and tycoon collaborators."

Brilliant conclusion and 100% true. Convergence with Western levels of economic success also typically requires convergence in certain institutional and cultural aspects like economic freedom, anti-monopoly regulation, independent courts, etc -- as the Asian Tigers have generally shown.

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