Even though everything they advocated makes perfect sense, the first question people would ask is, who will be the actual persons to carry out these reforms, and who can actually compete with the Communist Party on every level, from changing constitutions to establishing an adequate social security system?

FORBES: Viable Oppositions for Democracy in China?

But they show that it is impossible to fund the transition to a partly privatised system, and preserve benefits at the present level, without a fresh infusion of cash into Social Security.

ECONOMIST: Social Security reform

We may be better angels now than before, and we may be too distracted enough by cheap entertainment to avoid a life of crime, but we are still failing one another on a very basic level in not just our criminal justice system, but our public education system and our basic social contract.

FORBES: Better Angels or Bread and Circuses?