Amartya Sen attributes
China’s lead in economic growth to its massive investments
in health and education, which India has
lacked. Dictatorship can be good or bad for fertility
programs or any other aspects of development. But
the risks of a very bad outcome are probably much
lower with democracy.
Successful population control in China comes
with its own risks and unintended consequences as
well as substantial rewards. By 2050, China will have
almost twice as many people above age 50 as below
age 20. In addition, while fertility has fallen, preference
for boys over girls has actually intensified.