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It is possible to interprete his actions as much more benevolent than what your statements imply. Two of the strongest grievances among ordinary Chinese are: 1
by nopinsight 9y ago
It is possible to interprete his actions as much more benevolent than what your statements imply. Two of the strongest grievances among ordinary Chinese are:
1) prevalent corruption within the party and the resulting unfair advantages among those with connections
2) pollution and environmental degradation, which partly stem from 1).
When corruption is so widespread in the whole governing system, there is probably no way to greatly reduce it in short order without consolidating power and using it decisively.
My hypothesis is Xi does want to become very powerful and influential but more in the style of a legendary statesman who plays a pivotal role in developing China into a new era. I would bet that he will step down in 5-10 years from now but retain power behind the scene through the people he picks and more importantly the system he reforms and develops.
The three Internet giants, including the entrepreneurs who lead them, will likely be safe because Chinese leaders will want capable hands to steer them into dominating positions at the global scale, not least since they will most likely comply with the ideology and wishes of Chinese political leaders without much resistance.
- whatshisface 9y ago>When corruption is so widespread in the whole governing system, there is probably no way to greatly reduce it in short order without consolidating power and using it decisively. Xi isn't consolidating power away from the grocery inspectors that like to be tipped. No one human has the vast reach that would be required to see in to every single government action, down to the lowest levels. The only way to stop corruption is to ensure a free press with an empowered and informed population. That's not the direction that China's going.
- derefr 9y agoIndia tried to “see into every government action” by eliminating cash, thereby forcing all bribes onto the books (probably still in an obfuscated form, but one you can find anyway through network analysis.)
- monocasa 9y agoAnd WeChat is coming close to replacing cash in China.
- simonh 9y agoMost low level corruption in China is in kind, or things like membership cards and gift cards. I went to a friend's wedding over there and one of the big dinners was paid for by some very dodgy looking guys who were 'friends' of the groom's well connected family, but didnt stay for the meal.
- nopinsight 9y agoCorruption needs to be tackled from the top down. When the leaders don't, or can't, corrupt, it is much less likely the subordinates will be very corrupt. To handle low-level corruption, they are developing the social credit system [1], which is a kind of national reputation system. It is negative for individual freedom but might be deemed necessary for rampant corruption practices in many businesses and government units there. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Credit_System https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Credit_System
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- Chaebixi 9y ago> To handle low-level corruption, they are developing the social credit system [1], which is a kind of national reputation system. It is negative for individual freedom but might be deemed necessary for rampant corruption practices in many businesses and government units there. How would that help with corruption? Are people going to be able to thumbs-down a corrupt official without facing penalties or retaliation? I assume individual corruption doesn't happen in isolation, but in mutually re-enforcing webs. The low-level corrupt have the support of the high-level corrupt, who they pay off, etc.
- athenot 9y ago> The only way to stop corruption is to ensure a free press with an empowered and informed population. Unfortunately, populism can thrive even with free press. And with it, corruption can remain anchored. As an American, I sigh as I'm typing that...
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- simonh 9y agoThat true, democracy and a free press don't ensure wise decisions by the electorate, but they do ensure the opportunity for the electorate to change their minds and have it stick.
- liberte82 9y agoUntil the past year, I never understood why populism was a bad word. "Doing what the people want? What's the problem with that?" I always learned growing up in school that the definition of democracy was "rule of the majority, with respect for minority rights". I never realized how important that second part was.