5 ms·

If you go looking, you'll find that there are some people who describe it that way, and that's been the case for many years. No large polity has had a single, u

If you go looking, you'll find that there are some people who describe it that way, and that's been the case for many years. No large polity has had a single, unanimous evaluation from all of its citizens, ever in the history of the world.

nostrademons 8y ago
But that's the case for every polity - you'll find some people who find it oppressive, and a lot of people who don't. Most people in China wouldn't actually call it an oppressive authoritarian regime, even though by U.S. standards it is. It seems to extend down to ridiculously small polities, eg. there are people in the local Peace Corps alumni association (membership ~100) that call it an oppressive authoritarian regime, and I've worked at a startup with 18 employees that some of my coworkers called an oppressive authoritarian regime.
- stcredzero 8y ago
  They key difference (should be the key metric) is exactly how badly the dissenting minority gets treated. By that measure, California is at the "not too bad, but shows some disturbing trends" stage.
  - nostrademons 8y ago
    I guess. IMHO dissenting minorities are treated pretty well in California - the Oroville dam repairs are complete (and look pretty impressive) and there's been a massive disaster response from CalFire & other local fire departments to the Redding & Paradise fires, despite those all being very red areas. And San Jose is covering the wages of TSA screeners at Mineta airport during the government shutdown, even though the TSA isn't exactly the most popular agency of Silicon Valley liberals.
    - pcwalton 8y ago
      > And San Jose is covering the wages of TSA screeners at Mineta airport during the government shutdown, even though the TSA isn't exactly the most popular agency of Silicon Valley liberals. I agree with your general point, but I should mention that the Bay Area political climate is pretty sympathetic to government employee unions, such as those that represent TSA workers.
    - stcredzero 8y ago
      I guess. IMHO dissenting minorities are treated pretty well in California Sure. "Not too bad, but showing disturbing trends." Right now, we're at the stage where the police give certain people extra attention, and attitudes are brewing in the majority society.
- acct1771 8y ago
  The people in China are also heavily insulated from history of government overreach, and more culturally geared towards ignoring government overreach.

nostrademons 8y ago

But that's the case for every polity - you'll find some people who find it oppressive, and a lot of people who don't. Most people in China wouldn't actually call it an oppressive authoritarian regime, even though by U.S. standards it is. It seems to extend down to ridiculously small polities, eg. there are people in the local Peace Corps alumni association (membership ~100) that call it an oppressive authoritarian regime, and I've worked at a startup with 18 employees that some of my coworkers called an oppressive authoritarian regime.

stcredzero 8y ago
They key difference (should be the key metric) is exactly how badly the dissenting minority gets treated. By that measure, California is at the "not too bad, but shows some disturbing trends" stage.
- nostrademons 8y ago
  I guess. IMHO dissenting minorities are treated pretty well in California - the Oroville dam repairs are complete (and look pretty impressive) and there's been a massive disaster response from CalFire & other local fire departments to the Redding & Paradise fires, despite those all being very red areas. And San Jose is covering the wages of TSA screeners at Mineta airport during the government shutdown, even though the TSA isn't exactly the most popular agency of Silicon Valley liberals.
  - pcwalton 8y ago
    > And San Jose is covering the wages of TSA screeners at Mineta airport during the government shutdown, even though the TSA isn't exactly the most popular agency of Silicon Valley liberals. I agree with your general point, but I should mention that the Bay Area political climate is pretty sympathetic to government employee unions, such as those that represent TSA workers.
  - stcredzero 8y ago
    I guess. IMHO dissenting minorities are treated pretty well in California Sure. "Not too bad, but showing disturbing trends." Right now, we're at the stage where the police give certain people extra attention, and attitudes are brewing in the majority society.
acct1771 8y ago
The people in China are also heavily insulated from history of government overreach, and more culturally geared towards ignoring government overreach.