The numbers I've seen show that economic growth since China joined WTO in October 2000 surpasses any other period you may choose.  In my original comment, I mention "change" (social, political, and economic) in China over the past 10 years simply because I've lived in Shanghai since summer 2000 and personally witnessed the change.<p>I can't speak for South Korea or Japan because I've never lived there and have only read about those places.<p>Although I personally lean toward "free-market" policies, I recognize that a significant portion of the U.S. economy (my country) does not operate on free-market principles.  Energy, Government, some aspects of Health Care, mostly operate under controlled, non-free-market conditions.