But the shift in its relative position vis a vis the rising nations of Asia, particularly China, will tighten the constraints on the exercise of its power.
Can the differences between people who share a history, a culture, a common language actually be greater than are those that exist between the vast majority of Chinese vis a vis Americans?
As a result of these conflicting trends, there is considerable uncertainty about the degree to which the renminbi remains undervalued vis a vis the dollar.
The political leaders historically wielded proportionally much more power vis a vis people.