A Note on the U.S. Comparative Advantage in the Sale of "Political Risk Insurance" by DeLong

China Reigns in Liberalization of Culture 

Whether spooked by popular uprisings worldwide, a coming leadership transition at home or their own citizens’ increasingly provocative tastes, Communist leaders are proposing new limits on media and Internet freedoms that include some of the most restrictive measures in years.

The most striking instance occurred Tuesday, when the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television ordered 34 major satellite television stations to limit themselves to no more than two 90-minute entertainment shows each per week, and collectively 10 nationwide. They are also being ordered to broadcast two hours of state-approved news every evening and to disregard audience ratings in their programming decisions. The ministry said the measures, to go into effect on Jan. 1, were aimed at rooting out “excessive entertainment and vulgar tendencies.”

Maybe they're trying to head off the coming "reality show" onslaught and prevent a Chinese Jersey Shore craze.

The End of Cheap Chinese Goods by Floyd Norris