well duh.

But that's not really what he's saying is it?
All Horn says is that China doesn't use a very strict model (like the Washington consensus) for development, and therefore other developing countries can't seccessfuly copycut it's development model . Most Chinese leaders and economists say pretty much the same thing.

the author seems to suggest that the existence or effectiveness of the "China Development Model" is somehow undermined by the alleged fact that the course of development in China was not an object of conscious design.

one wonders whether that same fact--serendipity--makes wine less intoxicating, tea less savory, or the practice of sterilization in medicine less effective at fighting infection.

The author outline more the "trial-and-error" approach than anything else. It is one approach people can borrow if they so wish. However, this approach leads to "adhoc" policies, "special cases ad nauseum", and fractured policies. I have no doubt one day China will fix all of these, but probably after all other up-and-coming superpowers which implemented tried and true solutions.

china is only developed bcoz of it's good system & hard work of people

"china is only developed bcoz of it's good system & hard work of people "---FIZA

HAHAHA so funny. What? Hard work? Please stop talking hogwash.

I have nothing really to add to this since Rachel hit the nail on the head.