The Elephant and the Dragon is an amazing book about globalization and the rise of the international market specifically in China and India. The book digs deep into the history of China and India to unravel the phenomal growth which has been taking place within the last decade. In fact these two countries were once extremely sheltered and self-imposed however understood and realized the opportunity for major growth would take its country to new heights. The Chinese were essentially influenced and inspired by Singapore to accept capitalism. Although communist, their leaders prized political stability, and they were willing to reverse the very essence of their party doctrine to accept and achieve capitalism. The communist party made it clear however, that they would allow economic freedom but not political freedom. They took very great measures to stay in control, some may even say too harsh. Furthermore, China was after more than just jobs, they were after modernization itself. The Chinese government made it very attractive for Americans and other firms to build factories, hire Chinese workers, and bring in the modern world’s expertise into China. However with all the talk about modernization, China’s government still placed the perceived needs of the state well ahead of individual liberties. In contract, following its independence from Britain, India had spent decades in economic exile. It took them much longer to modernize and accept some forms of capitalism. In fact, India eventually turned to China for inspiration, which once looked to Singapore. Today, India is well developing into a modernized country. In fact, Chinese and Indians are increasingly making what Westerners buy, answering their customer service phone calls, or themselves buying western branded goods. This sense of globalization has lifted over 200 million Indians and Chinese out of poverty