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I think in authoritarian systems like China, loads of things that everyone does are illegal. They have something on everyone. And yes, yes - a bit of that goes
by benlumen 6y ago
I think in authoritarian systems like China, loads of things that everyone does are illegal. They have something on everyone.
And yes, yes - a bit of that goes on in the West too.
- capableweb 6y agoNot sure why you bring up authoritarianism with that argument. It's the same everywhere, authoritarian or not. Or are you saying that having a authoritarian system automatically leads to more "everyday things" getting illegal?
- nathias 6y agoyes, that's almost by definition
- bildung 6y agoAuthoritarianism is defined by a lack of political pluralism, i.e. multiple parties, political mobilization and free voting. Nothing of this is part of everday things.
- nathias 6y agono, authoritarianism is defined by authority taken by the political option in charge, paternalism, fearmongering etc. being the common pretenses of expanding this authority
- cocoggu 6y agoAs someone who lived there for more than 10 years. There are a lot of "grey areas" in China, much more than in other countries. Many things are considered illegal but still tolerated. I actually like this feeling and most expats do as well but I believe this way the government almost always have control over individuals. If they want to find something to arrest you, they will find something.
- saurik 6y agoSay more about why you like that feeling?...
- clusterfish 6y ago(Not the op) in such environments where the government doesn't usually care about you, you have more freedoms in practice but they are not guaranteed [1]. In the west you have more freedoms that are guaranteed, but I would say less freedoms in practice as government loves telling you what you can't do all the time. It's a mixed bag either way. People have different preferences. [1] You could say it's not a freedom unless it's guaranteed. That view is not universal. Freedom in practice trumps freedom on paper for a lot of people.
- cocoggu 6y agoWe like the feeling because often, even if it's not explicitly said, there is a hidden way to obtain what you want. In Europe, if an administration/company tell you no, there is often no negotiation, no way to get what you want. In China, often, if you master social tricks, you will be able to obtain it.
- newswasboring 6y agoI'm going to guess here, but I think because in such a system anything is allowed till you don't bother the government. And if you think about it, unless you are part of a group disliked by government, most things you want to do doesn't bother the government. It's actually easy to live a "normal" life, because most people don't belong to a group disliked by the government.
- capableweb 6y agoSuch is life everywhere, although some places have it more than others. European countries have small amount of grey areas if you compare with South America for example
- benlumen 6y agoYes. Governments that maintain their authority by oppression (as opposed to obtaining a mandate from their population) have a strong incentive to create an environment in which its easy to imprison people for things. This is quite basic stuff and I had thought it was widely understood.
- legulere 6y agoWhat China lacks there is rule of law.