Conservative Refocus

By Barry Secrest

Kiplinger recently released a colorful and persuasive chart comparing the top World Economies and their form of Governance in an apparent effort to educate its readers on the relative economic advantages of various Governmental Systems.  The graph, however,  showed the Chinese GDP erroneously nipping at the heels of US GDP.  In looking at the chart, the graphic representation of US GDP correctly indicates a Gross Domestic Product of $14.3 Trillion dollars with a blue arrow graphically representing the data, in comparison with the other countries, being shown as highest of all nations.

Directly beneath the US, China is depicted; however, even the sparsest of research will reveal that the GDP of China is only $4.9 Trillion.  In this Kiplinger representation, China's GDP is shown at $8.8 Trillion which is nearly double the actual number of $4.9 Trillion.  Further, the daunting red arrow that streaks across the screen is, somehow, nearly equal with the US display in this graphical representation, even though $14.4 is nearly 40% higher than the erroneous $8.8 Trillion given.

So, what gives Kiplinger?  Not only do you err in the actual number but you have also erred in the graphical representation.   So why the intense collection of errors, but only related to China? (we assume), and what exactly were you trying to communicate with this chart?

The supporting information you cite at the base of the chart  seems to imply that Government does best when it either governs the least or it Governs the most, as in the case of both the US and China respectively.

If you are going to do this sort of thing, more power to you, but at least get it right for Heaven's sake.

Conservative Refocus