As usual, there is mostly continuity in Laos: solid economic growth, a strong ruling communist party, increasing dependence on China, growing inequality, and tight control of civil society. A new trend, apart from the return of a socialist rhetoric, is an official appraisal of self-sufficiency and anti-globalization.

While the economy, and socioeconomic inequality, continue to grow rapidly, the leadership of Laos has returned to a rhetoric claiming to pursue the goal of establishing a socialist society. However, the social structures that have evolved historically make make it very unlikely that the country’s contemporary policies will create even development and balanced socio-economic levels.