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> * The Dalai Lama doesn't want to form a theocracy. He claims to be the leader of the legitimate government of Tibet, whose return to power he has made his go
by jessedhillon 11y ago
> * The Dalai Lama doesn't want to form a theocracy.
He claims to be the leader of the legitimate government of Tibet, whose return to power he has made his goal. He is a monarch, appointed by religious rituals. He holds simultaneously the highest religious and political offices of his people. In what way is he not a theocratic leader?
> * The popularly endorsed government of Utah was not violently overthrown by the US.
Were it to make serious motions towards secession, that would undoubtedly be the result.
> * The Dalai Lama doesn't want Tibet to secede from China, he just wants it to have more regional autonomy.
Yes, today this is true. He now advocates for a "Third Way" which allows for cultural preservation of the Tibetan people while recognizing Chinese sovereignty. This has not always been his position, and it was not for most of his exile.
- tdaltonc 11y ago> He holds simultaneously the highest religious and political offices of his people. No, he doesn't. Since 1959 the government is exile has had a prime-minister/Sikyong/Kalon-Tripa[1]; since 2001 it's been an elected office; and since 2011 it has been the government in exiles most powerful political office. They went form feudalism to a constitutional democracy with a titular monarch in less than 60 years. If nothing else about the Dalai Lama were impressive, overseeing that transition alone would be. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikyong https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikyong
- bane 11y ago> He holds simultaneously the highest religious and political offices of his people. Not since 2011 when he stepped down as Political Leader.