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Make no mistakes I have my own bias. But the more interesting point to consider is that, as the article points out, Chinese government is actively trying to bui

Make no mistakes I have my own bias. But the more interesting point to consider is that, as the article points out, Chinese government is actively trying to build trust with the people. Yes, every government tries to do that, but not many actually succeed. See http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/05/23/chapter-1-national-and-economic-conditions/ http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/05/23/chapter-1-national-and-e... Yes, there are corruptions and scandals every now and then, but those culprits get dealt with whenever a large percentage of the people are concerned about it. So in the end, majority of the people are indeed happy with the government. So having said all of these, yes, my comments come across as propaganda to you, but consider it the other way round, would you defend your government's controversial policies? In other words, are you willing to "spread propaganda" out of your own will for your government's policies (on abortion, taxes, immigration, surveillance laws)? Chances are, about half of the population would not (based on approval ratings and voting patterns). So you see, while some countries focuses on having people constantly challenging and keeping the government in check, others focuses on building trust between the government and the people. And hence, to answer your question, yes, it's propaganda, but I do it out of my trust in my government. That is something I see most foreigners struggle to understand because it goes against their belief. Think of it another way, every government is simply trying to make their country great, and that includes making people happy and maintaining their mandate. Just because one approach is different from the rest, does not mean it is ill-intended or evil. There is no reason at all for any government to do something unpopular with majority of people. The only chance for something bad to happen is when the government is completely out of touch with the people. It happened a few times in the past in China. It is happening now in the U.S. But I don't see it happening in China any time soon.

pavlov 10y ago
... culprits get dealt with whenever a large percentage of the people are concerned about it That's not how equality before the law is supposed to work. You're describing corruption trials as an occasional bone thrown to appease the masses. How do you know the people who get sentenced in these trials are actual culprits, not just scapegoats the CPC wants to get rid of? There is no transparency or public records, and the judicial system in China is not independent of the government. The accused are effectively pre-sentenced. Just because one approach is different from the rest, does not mean it is ill-intended or evil. There is no reason at all for any government to do something unpopular with majority of people. This approach is essentially a tyranny of the majority interpreted by a single party that controls all branches of government. In such a system, who protects the minorities and those who would like to see a different political system? Or are they "collateral damage" for a greater good -- the eggs one needs to break to make an omelette?
- lsseckman 10y ago
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- paradite 10y ago
  Sorry for the late reply. These topics warrant some face-to-face long night discussion or several tea sessions. I don't usually do it with strangers. However, I am sure if you become friends with any Chinese people in real life, they would be happy to talk about those.
  - pavlov 10y ago
    I have Chinese friends. Are you surprised that they don't all share your views of the benevolence of the Party?
    - paradite 10y ago
      No I am not surprised at all. People have different opinions over the policies. The point I was trying to make in the parent comment is that do not rely solely on news media for information and opinions about China. Talk to your Chinese friends because they are be a better source of information on China's policies and the government compared to a non-Chinese author. Yes, not all Chinese love their government, but at least they can provide some context and rationale as to why policies were implemented in certain ways, which are often missing in news articles.

pavlov 10y ago

... culprits get dealt with whenever a large percentage of the people are concerned about it That's not how equality before the law is supposed to work. You're describing corruption trials as an occasional bone thrown to appease the masses. How do you know the people who get sentenced in these trials are actual culprits, not just scapegoats the CPC wants to get rid of? There is no transparency or public records, and the judicial system in China is not independent of the government. The accused are effectively pre-sentenced. Just because one approach is different from the rest, does not mean it is ill-intended or evil. There is no reason at all for any government to do something unpopular with majority of people. This approach is essentially a tyranny of the majority interpreted by a single party that controls all branches of government. In such a system, who protects the minorities and those who would like to see a different political system? Or are they "collateral damage" for a greater good -- the eggs one needs to break to make an omelette?

lsseckman 10y ago
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paradite 10y ago
Sorry for the late reply. These topics warrant some face-to-face long night discussion or several tea sessions. I don't usually do it with strangers. However, I am sure if you become friends with any Chinese people in real life, they would be happy to talk about those.
- pavlov 10y ago
  I have Chinese friends. Are you surprised that they don't all share your views of the benevolence of the Party?
  - paradite 10y ago
    No I am not surprised at all. People have different opinions over the policies. The point I was trying to make in the parent comment is that do not rely solely on news media for information and opinions about China. Talk to your Chinese friends because they are be a better source of information on China's policies and the government compared to a non-Chinese author. Yes, not all Chinese love their government, but at least they can provide some context and rationale as to why policies were implemented in certain ways, which are often missing in news articles.