1225 = 4400,000,000,000

Forbes says that for the first time ever, the number of billionaires in the world has gone into four figures - 1225 to be exact. These 1225 people are considered to be worth $ 4.4 trillion. To those of you who like me, have difficulty with numbers, one trillion has twelve zeros after the one. The entire list can be found here and the article on it here.

Out of all the interesting things coming out of this list, what has my attention is the fact that only two years ago, half of the top twenty were from the US and this year it is down to four. Even more interesting is the fact that four out of the top ten are from India. There are a total of 19 Indians and 28 Chinese who made the list. Some of this may be a result of the weak dollar, but still, significant nonetheless.

Can this list be considered a reflection of shifting economic clout in the world? If it can, then simply put, it reflects the decline in American economic power and the dramatic rise of India and China. Maybe it is time to accept that these two are nations to reckon with and especially in the case of China, accept that it is time to give her a proper place on the world stage.

All this concern about military expenditure and such seems to me to be a waste, given the Chinese claim that they have no malicious intent. I know communists can never be trusted, but they have not acted in any way contrary to their claim. On the other hand, American rise to power has always been through violent means cloaked in a "noble cause" and "fight against evil" - a trend still seen today in the struggle to hold on to that power.

Compare this to China, who has never acted in aggression and has so far not interfered in the internal workings of other countries, despite pressure to do so. I am forced to think that China as the next superpower might not be such a bad thing (as claimed by some). Maybe it is time for another country to set the bar on the world stage - one that understands when it is not welcome and knows when to stay out.