Self-made rich people not only have pots of money to give away but are often in the habit of measuring results: they will fund what works and cut off projects that do not.

Many responded simply by switching off electricity supplies: in Henan province, steel works were ordered to close for days, and power was cut to homes in towns and villages.

Fewer people are needed to work the total Production machine. As some incomes are cut out, total buying is even less than before. The machine works still slower and more people are laid off.