The Reds and their Debs

Wonder when you might see a rabid Jacobinism rise from the ashes in China? The conspicuous consumption of today's Communist party princes and princesses might be the start. Here's a great piece on some of the antics of the communist royalty.

Their grandfathers are known as China's political elite, the men who led the socialist country out of poverty into a new economic era, (but they are now known for) their high profile debut at blue-blooded Paris balls.

Of course such aristocratic pretensions might not be enough to set off a revolt. The renmin would have to suffer a heavy financial burden - job losses and rising, high prices. No wonder the economy is the priority in Beijing.