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> I did not remark China becoming more authoritarian under his rule. Xi greatly suppressed political dissent, online and off. There was a burgeoning, very inte

> I did not remark China becoming more authoritarian under his rule. Xi greatly suppressed political dissent, online and off. There was a burgeoning, very interesting online debate about democracy and governance, full of thoughtful ideas, brilliant satire, and more. AFAIK, that's mostly gone. You can read about it here: http://chinadigitaltimes.net/ http://chinadigitaltimes.net/ He also arrested and otherwise suppressed many political opponents, at least in large part under the guise of an 'anti-corruption' campaign. He's also revived Communist ideology and a Mao-ish cult of personality for himself. In contrast, Deng Xiaopeng avoided it - my understanding is that he even was cremated and had his ashes scattered at sea so there would be no shrine to him. Finally, he has helped create an intense wave of nationalism. (I will say, in fairness, that cults of personality and nationalism are trendy in other countries too, such as the U.S. I don't know how everyone forgot the evil that those things lead to.)

Iv 9y ago
> Xi greatly suppressed political dissent, online and off. But was that different from his predecessors? > He also arrested and otherwise suppressed many political opponents, at least in large part under the guise of an 'anti-corruption' campaign. That I would like to know more about. Most of the times, people just quote Bo Xilai (who seem to have been a genuinel crime ring boss) and his successor. I have a hard time understanding why the official version is just dismissed. > and a Mao-ish cult of personality for himself. Is there a place to read about that?
- forapurpose 9y ago
  >> Xi greatly suppressed political dissent, online and off. > But was that different from his predecessors? Yes; I meant to say he greatly increased suppression of dissent > Is there a place to read about that? I'd start with the link above. The NY Times covers it occasionally, including a recent story about Xi's childhood home (AFAICT - I didn't read much more than a paragraph).

Iv 9y ago

> Xi greatly suppressed political dissent, online and off. But was that different from his predecessors? > He also arrested and otherwise suppressed many political opponents, at least in large part under the guise of an 'anti-corruption' campaign. That I would like to know more about. Most of the times, people just quote Bo Xilai (who seem to have been a genuinel crime ring boss) and his successor. I have a hard time understanding why the official version is just dismissed. > and a Mao-ish cult of personality for himself. Is there a place to read about that?

forapurpose 9y ago
>> Xi greatly suppressed political dissent, online and off. > But was that different from his predecessors? Yes; I meant to say he greatly increased suppression of dissent > Is there a place to read about that? I'd start with the link above. The NY Times covers it occasionally, including a recent story about Xi's childhood home (AFAICT - I didn't read much more than a paragraph).