Very interesting article in Asia Times today about the potential political effect of widespread stock ownership. The author is essentially arguing that the experience of individual investors in influencing management decisions will have a political impact in China.

No doubt, their mentality, life style and living standard are influenced by such exposure. One small investor wrote on the Internet: "In the stock market, I experience freedom, rule of law and democracy."

Maybe. On the other hand, most individual investors don't exercise their rights at all. Moreover, what's the evidence that this experience is positive all the time and if it will necessarily translate into the political arena?

Lots of questions raised, but that's a mark of an interesting article.