Thomas_Anderson  +  653185 Sat, 24 Jan 09 06:34 PM "It used to be a platitude of Western—and Marxist—analysis of China that wrenching economic change would demand political reform. Yet China’s economy boomed with little sign of any serious political liberalisation to match the economic free-for-all. The cliché fell into disuse. Indeed, many, even in democratic bastions such as India, began to fall for the Chinese Communist Party’s argument that dictatorship was good for growth, whereas Indian democracy was a luxury paid for by the poor, in the indefinite extension of their poverty." This excerpt is from The Economist, December 13th, 2008 issue. I am confused in the use of "wrenching". What does it mean in this context? I looked up in the dictionary but couldn't get a sense if it. Does it mean "painful" change? Please help me with this word. Thomas_Anderson Joined on Wed, Dec 3 2008 Junior Member 61 Education, Information and Software should be free and unrestricted. Context, Countries, Asia, China

	Clive  +  653188 Sat, 24 Jan 09 06:56 PM Hi, I'd say painful, violent and sudden Best wishes, Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,298 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo