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Business interests will have a significant effect on Chinese politics, before, during and after the 2008 Olympics. China has taken massive political strides to achieve economic gains, and all signs are promising for future political advances. Business interests will use the 2008 Olympics to pry open the once firmly shut door of China's economy. While the changes will may be immediate, they will be perceptible, and if fostered by the international community, will create a political and economic revolution from closed communism to open capitalism and democracy.

The Olympic Committee promises the host nation many benefits, most of the economic and international prestige. The Chinese are very conscious of their reputation and strive to put their best foot forward on the international stage. As people around the world ponder whether to visit China to see the Olympics live, or businesses plan to set up shop in China for the Olympics, both will take a long hard look at China's politics before moving an inch.

Many people around the world do not like China's treatment of Tibet, their workers, or their environment. As more people learn the power of persuasion based on where they spend their money, they many will choose to boycott the Olympics by not visiting or purchasing any merchandise. Businesses, concerned with consumer backlash for working with the Chinese given their political and social track record, might avoid the Olympics in China. China's government will have to weigh these concerns, and their effect on profits and international prestige, against their current political beliefs and ways of doing things. International fiscal and social pressure through the 2008 Olympics may help push China towards political and social reform.

Under the Communist system, economics IS politics. The two are inseparable. While that fact has held China back economically for the last few centuries, it holds the key for national political change. If you affect the business aspect of China, you will inherently affect its politics.

Communism is built on the concept of equality for all people. While it looks great on paper, in reality, it stifles innovation and imagination, and does not reward effort. The result is an equal state of poverty for all citizens. Capitalism in its pure form rewards innovation and effort, and severely punishes those who cannot keep up. Capitalism is not practiced in its pure form in any country, as all countries have developed a socialist state to protect those

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