> where U.S. multinationals can go to secure cheap labor. Whether or
> not these countries *call* themselves "communist" ceased to be
> relevant a long time ago-- they have abandoned any and every measure
> of worker protection and social and economic rights.
Things are more complex than this. Real wages are rising in Vietnam and China, especially in the cities, thanks to strong state intervention in the economy, a literate, well-schooled workforce, and the proximity of East Asian capital, which is willing to invest long-term for market share. Many of China's regions have neo-corporatist welfare schemes which offer some protection from the market.
-- Dennis