First it was: China cannot succeed because she does not have a free market.
Then it was: China is going to be our friend because she has embraced the free market.
Now it is: China is secretly going into decline because she has turned away from the free market.
Maybe that’s right.
Or maybe we are just very, very high on our own supply.
I do not recall that German markets were free in 1939. I do not recall that German markets were free in 1914. I do not recall that Japanese markets were free in 1931.
In fact, I do not recall that American markets were free in 1941. One quarter of the American economy by GDP was subject to price regulation as a result of the New Deal and decades of progressive activism.
And that was before we entered the war and FDR imposed wage and price controls.
And, you know, we won.
But not alone. Russia did most of the fighting.
And Russia had a command economy.
The free market does have its charms. But please, enough of the you-can’t-be-a-great-power-unless-you-run-on-Reaganomics.
That’s a great way to underestimate your adversaries.
And get killed.