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All countries have some kind of educational projects like this. The German, for example, have the Goethe Institute that is active around the world. It seems now
by coliveira 9y ago
All countries have some kind of educational projects like this. The German, for example, have the Goethe Institute that is active around the world. It seems now that the US now wants to criminalize this kind of diplomatic activity just because it is coming from a commercial competitor.
- jeffdavis 9y agoCriminalize? Where did you get that from?
- HumanDrivenDev 9y agoI don't think it's at all fair to compare the Confucius Institute to the Goethe Institut. The Federal Republic of Germany has been free of totalitarianism for over 70 years.
- Keyframe 9y agoYes, lots of countries do that. UK has British Council.
- noobermin 9y agoAnd to be honest, capitalism doesn't always need directly paid operatives. People whose livelihood depends on low taxes, less regulation, free trade, etc, will glady fund think-tanks, politicians, and media that espouse these values, not to mention, making TV appearances and op-eds themselves. It has the same effect of government funded propaganda, in my opinion. I do agree it is a little more nefarious to have a foreign government fund these efforts, but how different is it from wealthy business owners funding think-tanks and academics who align with them politically? It's probably not as nefarious but it's just a matter of degree.