It's not an autocratic thing. Protectionism is not uncommon among poor countries or in the region. When I lived in Asia, I noticed this Bullshit and locals bel

It's not an autocratic thing. Protectionism is not uncommon among poor countries or in the region. When I lived in Asia, I noticed this Bullshit and locals believed it was OK because they see it as a David versus Goliath battle. Too be fair, in a free market, GE or Philips and other big western firms would have crushed or bought out their Asian competitors decades ago.