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Too little too late. One reason why the west doesn't need to fear Chinese military power is that, well China don't have any warrior left. If you are the only s
by z92 13y ago
Too little too late.
One reason why the west doesn't need to fear Chinese military power is that, well China don't have any warrior left. If you are the only son, its your duty to take care of you ageing parents instead of fighting at the borders.
- AllenKids 13y agoOne Child policy is not well implemented across China especially in the rural area. People from rural area is also over represented in the military. I don't have any numbers but I'll bet more than half that's in the service still have one or more siblings back home.
- oddx 13y agoAnother effect of "single child policy" is significant prevalence of number of men over women. And it's known for making society significantly more aggressive.
- philwelch 13y agoI don't know if it makes society more aggressive, but women are the limiting factor in population growth so the excess men are essentially expendable, or would be but for their parents needing support.
- shangxiao 13y ago"And it's known"...
- oddx 13y agoIf you are interested I recommend "The Moral Animal" by Robert Wright, book has more details on subject.
- deleted 13y ago[deleted]
- jl6 13y agoWhat is a better proxy for military power: manpower or manufacturing capacity? I'd argue that war has become as high-tech and automated as everything else, and you no longer need a large standing army to dominate.
- mattzito 13y agoFor certain aspects, you are correct - instead of sending in 75 infantrymen to hold a ridge, you can send in a few tanks and mechanized infantry using fewer people. However, the somewhat perverse reality is that the logistics and support requirements of the two scenarios are equal if not higher for the latter. The more technology/mechanization, the more replacement parts, ground and support staff, fuel distribution, and so on are required. On top of that, many of the very "high-tech" aspects of modern warfare that replace people have very limited utility. High tech aircraft, drones, and cruise missles can be used for tactical strikes to disrupt enemy operations, but they can't be used to hold ground.
- kissickas 13y agoIf someone is working in a factory that makes weapons, that doesn't disqualify them from taking care of their parents like being on the front lines does.