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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Debate on ChinaDaily: Are they Human Rights or Political Rights |
| 2005-04-05 |
| Not something one expects to see debated in China. |
| Posted by:3dc |
| #2 Here is the greater debate: Is China governable? Now, granted, if China was several smaller nations, democracy, at least as it is known in places where it is not a euphamism, could most likely thrive. It would have its turmoil, and no doubt it would differ strongly from democracies found elsewhere in the world, and yet, in its basic character, it would share more with them than not. But China as a whole may transcend even the ability of democracy to manage. And this is said with respect to the world's largest democracy, India; where democracy exists, and yet it does not exist. Democracy in India is a bizarre thing, in China perhaps it would become surreal. If you ask an American for the bottom line of one thing you could do in China to cement democratic reform, they would probably suggest a "two-party political system", though this hardly defines democracy. In fact, there is no provision for political parties *at all* in the US Constitution. And yet, if China *did* have a two-party political system, how would this change how China is managed? Not much. China would still have to be quite authoritarian, just to keep a lid on its bubbling chaos in so many ways. China would still be ordered much like it is right now. Militarily, China would almost certainly have the same goals, give or take Taiwan. In other words, internally and externally, China would still be China. And unless it was managed much like it is today, China would be likely to break up. But, India has survived, why not China? I will not guarantee the future of India. For if nothing else, there is a terrible yet invisible Darwinistic struggle in both nations between the intelligent, modern people, and those who are stuck in a peasant-paradigm hundreds of years old. And this, more than anything else, promises a foreboding future, even a future that democracy might not be able to save. The Chinese, like the Indians, are very capable of having and honoring human rights in the international sense; but only those who live in the 21st Century. For the peasants--nothing. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2005-04-05 7:37:14 PM |
| #1 Interesting thread - Thx 3dc! One of the unintentionally telling comments was this one: "You'll find more info on AI's site. Hope you can access it." Not something we think about here in Amerikkka, eh? Immediately gave me that uncomfortable feeling I had back in Saudi that someone was watching everything I did - and the door would be kicked down someday. I became a bit paranoid toward the end. These folks are living that life. |
| Posted by: .com 2005-04-05 4:32:52 PM |