What a huge chunk of Asia does have in common is a joint adventure, namely the pursuit of materialism based on rapid economic development. The optimism is striking. Tomorrow may look different from today, but everyone agrees that it is likely to be better. The optimism is usually justified. Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan have joined, or are joining, Japan among the ranks of rich countries. Malaysia and Thailand, once dirt-poor, are now middle-income countries. China has lifted 250m-odd out of poverty. Health, a good education, the pursuit of happiness: hundreds of millions of Asians can now aspire to these.
