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China is not a democracy. However the notion that Chinese culture is okay with despotism and tyranny is again a limited one. The Mandate of Heaven is what give

China is not a democracy. However the notion that Chinese culture is okay with despotism and tyranny is again a limited one. The Mandate of Heaven is what gives a ruler in China the right to rule. This is not an inherent and automatic right like the divine right of kings. If a ruler is unable to deliver prosperity and justice it’s completely justified for the ruler to be overthrown. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandate_of_Heaven https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandate_of_Heaven Western democracy is really being torn at the seams with Trump and Brexit. Both are policies which any sane outside observer will conclude are extremely harmful in the long term. However because of brainwashing a large portion of the citizenry are okay with it anyway. Large sections are manipulated via social media by forces both external and internal dipping society into chaos even in the midst of existential threats like covid. This is like saying yes we invaded a country and unleashed mass death but we also protest against it and make poignant films about how our soldiers felt really bad doing it so it’s all okay and it makes us better than those who don’t. The point is to not do it. As we speak Iranians are dying in droves in the middle of a pandemic made worse by cruel sanctions imposed by the very people claiming to be enlightened. Imposing sanctions in the middle of a pandemic is nothing short of a crime against humanity.

nouveaux 6y ago
As a Chinese person, I totally understand that Chinese culture is not ok with tyranny. China's rise to riches can only be done with the efficiencies of a dictatorship. In order to understand China, you must understand China's poverty and shame from foreign rule. With China's new digital surveillance system, it will be pretty hard to overthrow any dictator. China's control on news and media will ensure loyalty from a large percentage of the population. People who were critical of China's initial Covid response were silenced. Some disappeared. I guarantee you many people of Wuhan did not think that there was prosperity and justice. Western democracy is being tested but I think the United States constitution is holding up pretty well. Today's Supreme Court ruling was 7-2 against Trump, with both justices nominated by Trump voting against Trump. The Supreme Court is focused on being impartial, so the navigated a ruling that will only release Trump's tax returns after the election. "We reaffirm that principle today and hold that the President is neither absolutely immune from state criminal subpoenas seeking his private papers nor entitled to a heightened standard of need." - Justice Roberts The Supreme Court, 9-0 affirmed that the President is not above the law. This ruling will be executed on up and down the government chain. Trump wants to build a wall but he can't. Trump wants to deport DACA immigrants and he can't. While Trump did accomplish a lot for Republicans, the most egregious actions were prevented. Ultimately, Trump's damage can be limited and contained. I agree that the US does not know how to handle foreign interference through social media. Trump seems like he's allowing it to happen. I'm reserving judgement till the next president gets involved. I also agree that Iran sanctions from Trump is criminal. Ultimately, no system is perfect. United states and Western democracies are designed to limit the damage, which in turn can limit upsides. Dictatorships are efficient but can easily run afoul. The hope is that we can all choose the system we prefer.
- bmn__ 6y ago
  > China's rise to riches can only be done with the efficiencies of a dictatorship. You probably have heard that propaganda piece so often that you think it's true. A part of China is rich despite the dictatorship murdering 70 million of its people; miraculously, that democide set back the country only by twenty years. If one wants to blame anything for making people rich, its the effects of unfettered turbo capitalism as practiced after Deng.
wolco 6y ago
"Western democracy is really being torn at the seams with Trump and Brexit" Really, torn at the seams? Brexit is going fine and now with covid it might work out better in the longrun. America likes strong leaders. Trump isn't creating a new divide he is navigating the existing fault lines. More importantly: China forcing birth control on Uighurs to suppress population: (source AP) Are you aware of this? What is your,opinion on those events?
- thaumasiotes 6y ago
  > More importantly: > China forcing birth control on Uighurs to suppress population: (source AP) > Are you aware of this? What is your,opinion on those events? It's the same thing they do to the Chinese, which frankly seems worse to me.
  - wolco 6y ago
    Why would that be worse. The Han chinese are keeping the government in power. Without their support this government would fall. They as a group have a vote. But a general policy with fines is not what we are talking about. Millions of Uighurs are forced into camps. They force them to take pills so they cannot have kids. Then they mass migrate han chinese into the region. One day soon they can say the majority are han chinese. Europe will start putting pressure on China when they realize building this direct road to London China is building is the reason for the suffering they will impose punishment. Meanwhile the US has started creating a different supplies chains excluding China. When grow slows what will happen in China? Will the people revolt? Going to be an interesting 10 years.
    - thaumasiotes 6y ago
      > But a general policy with fines is not what we are talking about. Forced sterilization applies to the Han too.

nouveaux 6y ago

As a Chinese person, I totally understand that Chinese culture is not ok with tyranny. China's rise to riches can only be done with the efficiencies of a dictatorship. In order to understand China, you must understand China's poverty and shame from foreign rule. With China's new digital surveillance system, it will be pretty hard to overthrow any dictator. China's control on news and media will ensure loyalty from a large percentage of the population. People who were critical of China's initial Covid response were silenced. Some disappeared. I guarantee you many people of Wuhan did not think that there was prosperity and justice. Western democracy is being tested but I think the United States constitution is holding up pretty well. Today's Supreme Court ruling was 7-2 against Trump, with both justices nominated by Trump voting against Trump. The Supreme Court is focused on being impartial, so the navigated a ruling that will only release Trump's tax returns after the election. "We reaffirm that principle today and hold that the President is neither absolutely immune from state criminal subpoenas seeking his private papers nor entitled to a heightened standard of need." - Justice Roberts The Supreme Court, 9-0 affirmed that the President is not above the law. This ruling will be executed on up and down the government chain. Trump wants to build a wall but he can't. Trump wants to deport DACA immigrants and he can't. While Trump did accomplish a lot for Republicans, the most egregious actions were prevented. Ultimately, Trump's damage can be limited and contained. I agree that the US does not know how to handle foreign interference through social media. Trump seems like he's allowing it to happen. I'm reserving judgement till the next president gets involved. I also agree that Iran sanctions from Trump is criminal. Ultimately, no system is perfect. United states and Western democracies are designed to limit the damage, which in turn can limit upsides. Dictatorships are efficient but can easily run afoul. The hope is that we can all choose the system we prefer.

bmn__ 6y ago
> China's rise to riches can only be done with the efficiencies of a dictatorship. You probably have heard that propaganda piece so often that you think it's true. A part of China is rich despite the dictatorship murdering 70 million of its people; miraculously, that democide set back the country only by twenty years. If one wants to blame anything for making people rich, its the effects of unfettered turbo capitalism as practiced after Deng.

wolco 6y ago

"Western democracy is really being torn at the seams with Trump and Brexit" Really, torn at the seams? Brexit is going fine and now with covid it might work out better in the longrun. America likes strong leaders. Trump isn't creating a new divide he is navigating the existing fault lines. More importantly: China forcing birth control on Uighurs to suppress population: (source AP) Are you aware of this? What is your,opinion on those events?

thaumasiotes 6y ago
> More importantly: > China forcing birth control on Uighurs to suppress population: (source AP) > Are you aware of this? What is your,opinion on those events? It's the same thing they do to the Chinese, which frankly seems worse to me.
- wolco 6y ago
  Why would that be worse. The Han chinese are keeping the government in power. Without their support this government would fall. They as a group have a vote. But a general policy with fines is not what we are talking about. Millions of Uighurs are forced into camps. They force them to take pills so they cannot have kids. Then they mass migrate han chinese into the region. One day soon they can say the majority are han chinese. Europe will start putting pressure on China when they realize building this direct road to London China is building is the reason for the suffering they will impose punishment. Meanwhile the US has started creating a different supplies chains excluding China. When grow slows what will happen in China? Will the people revolt? Going to be an interesting 10 years.
  - thaumasiotes 6y ago
    > But a general policy with fines is not what we are talking about. Forced sterilization applies to the Han too.