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I look at it this way: change is not going to be forced on the Chinese government by US corporations. That can only come from the Chinese population (with poss
by deeg 8y ago
I look at it this way: change is not going to be forced on the Chinese government by US corporations. That can only come from the Chinese population (with possibly a small assist from foreign governments). So what's the best way to help their citizens with changing the government?
I believe the best way is to make them prosperous and informed; people who are hungry or worried about their job are less likely to question the political status quo. Are US corporations helping with either of those? Not much with the latter but I believe more trade helps the former, as long as it also doesn't make it easier for the government to oppress the Chinese population.
Is there much of a difference between US corporations doing business in China and the rest of us buying inexpensive goods from Chinese companies?
- mehblahwhatevs 8y agoThis thinking is common that more middle-upper class people won't put up with a dictatorial regime. But isn't Singapore kind of a counter to that?
- repsilat 8y agoSingaporeans at least have the right to leave. Chinese people aren't even free to migrate internally. Singaporean internet access is significantly freer than Chinese. Singapore has freer markets, more rule of law. They don't have a real democracy, and there are restrictions on speech, but it's absolutely crazy to equate it with China. If China turns into Singapore as it gets richer it'll be a humanitarian miracle. Unfortunately I share your skepticism. Not because of Singapore as a counterexample, though, but because of China-to-date. They haven't been liberalising, they have been getting less free, more nationalistic and so on. The Party has increased its control on every part of life and all levers of government. I can't see why that trend should reverse.
- ngcc_hk 8y agoYes and even if go you are chinese first. Kidnapping foreign national in a foreign land (Thailand not just 1c2s Hk) is done. You are chinese first even if you have other passport ...
- mistermann 8y agoI wish all people around the world the best. But with respect to China, I'm rather concerned that rather than the Chinese population forcing change upon their government, another possible outcome is that the Chinese government forces undesirable and possibly dramatic change upon the rest of the world. To me, this outcome seems not just possible, but extremely likely unless something major changes.