3 ms·

Good on them. If sanctions and withdrawing aid have told us anything, its that they empower dictators not weaken them. Perhaps if the West devoted more money t

Good on them. If sanctions and withdrawing aid have told us anything, its that they empower dictators not weaken them. Perhaps if the West devoted more money to improving the quality of life in 'risky' countries rather than inefectually trying to affect political change through economic blackmail, the world would be better off.

samspenc 11y ago
As much as we like to criticize the United States and other developed countries on HN, personally, I think what we're seeing is the worst-case scenario playing out here: 1. "High risk" countries with unstable regimes and dictatorships default on their loans to the World Bank and developed countries 2. China steps in and provides loans to keep the regimes stable, allowing them to continue to be in power and thumb their nose at democratic values and their own people. 3. In turn, China gets to enjoy low cost access to raw materials it needs to fuel its growth, while these nations and peoples lose access to their own natural resources. I'm not exactly sure that the game that China is playing is helpful in any way to the healthy development of a better world.
- mcv 11y ago
  Although you're right of course, it's worth remembering that the US and European countries also have a history of supporting dictatorships and helping themselves to the raw materials of poor countries at the cost of the population there.
- AdeptusAquinas 11y ago
  Not sure about that. I think dictators are more empowered by weak economies than foreign wealth - China is contributing a lot, not just bribing officials for mining rights. The best soil for democracy is a healthy economy with a burgeoning middle class, and if China's contributions lead to that, even if they shore up a a given regime in the short term, long term they will be a substantial positive to the world.

3 ms·

Good on them. If sanctions and withdrawing aid have told us anything, its that they empower dictators not weaken them. Perhaps if the West devoted more money t

by AdeptusAquinas 11y ago

samspenc 11y ago
As much as we like to criticize the United States and other developed countries on HN, personally, I think what we're seeing is the worst-case scenario playing out here: 1. "High risk" countries with unstable regimes and dictatorships default on their loans to the World Bank and developed countries 2. China steps in and provides loans to keep the regimes stable, allowing them to continue to be in power and thumb their nose at democratic values and their own people. 3. In turn, China gets to enjoy low cost access to raw materials it needs to fuel its growth, while these nations and peoples lose access to their own natural resources. I'm not exactly sure that the game that China is playing is helpful in any way to the healthy development of a better world.
- mcv 11y ago
  Although you're right of course, it's worth remembering that the US and European countries also have a history of supporting dictatorships and helping themselves to the raw materials of poor countries at the cost of the population there.
- AdeptusAquinas 11y ago
  Not sure about that. I think dictators are more empowered by weak economies than foreign wealth - China is contributing a lot, not just bribing officials for mining rights. The best soil for democracy is a healthy economy with a burgeoning middle class, and if China's contributions lead to that, even if they shore up a a given regime in the short term, long term they will be a substantial positive to the world.