If you accept the notion that democratization of other nations is key to national and international-relationship stability - and I do; then you also need to be concerned about nations like China and Iran who are obviously not currently democratic.
Both nations are rhetorically floating with the concept in international negotiations. But what is the reality on the ground as regards the chances either will embrace democratic reforms to some degree? Unfortunately, not very good.
Pundita has two very solid yet brief essays based upon the demographics-based theories of another individual and the predictions by the numbers aren't good. Check out Iran and China by the numbers.
Dan, jon batchelor has been talking about this site for months...
there are people who want democracy...
http://www.regimechangeiran.com/
Posted by: cathy | Sunday, October 02, 2005 at 02:48 PM
While he makes some good points in the case of China, there are also some gross errors in his assessments.
"He also points out that American faith in constitutional ideals has always been shored by a cushion of capital. From there he advises that America should offer China "practical suggestions, such as how to develop internal capital markets, rather than grandiose and self-serving advice."
We long ago abandoned the Constitution. Some of the "ideals" persist, but they are working on them as fast as they can. But what is even more amazing about his statement is the we are "shored by a cushion of capital."
Hell, we are broke. We have no cushion of capital, and haven't had since they emasculated the dollar in 1963. His next statement is even more "far out." He states that we sould offer China suggestions as to how to develop internal capital markets? We have destroyed much of our internal capital markets with useless "regulations," "oversight," taxes and constraints. Wonder where this guy has been the last 30 years?
Next part is almost funny. He says:
"So I venture it is naive for Washington to assume that offering Beijing the same good economic advice they've gotten for years from the IMF and bankers in Taipei, Hong Kong, London and Singapore is the best help the US can give China."
Our economic "planning" should be put in a comic book instead of being offered as advice. The fact is the only good economic advice is to leave people alone, unfettered to produce and trade openly WITHOUT governments being involved to muck up the waters. Won't happen though. The IMF and world bankers are the CAUSE of the problems...not the solutions. Can we not see the world? Can we not see what is going on?
The next part is not laughable, but it IS disgusting. He states:
"The US Department of State can't force democracy on the Chinese but they can stop fawning over Beijing's endless prevarication. How to do this? By loudly and repeatedly reminding Beijing that China's economic progress was achieved on the back of democratic governments."
China's economic "progress" has been achieved on the back of slave labor, and the knowing participation of the US government in keeping them in their bondage. They have made us a debtor nation to THEM and he is suggesting we, somehow are superior? WE are going to give THEM advice? Hell they have us right where they want us...courtesy the United States Government. WHEN they pull the plug on the debt, or exchange their currency backing to the Euro, let's see what "advice" we can give them then.
The answer to China's and the rest of the world's problems lies in setting people free. Democracy as a governmental system will always fail. We are a republic. If China wants to succeed...set your people free. If the US wants to avoid the economic collapse that is already well under way. Let your people produce. End government subsidies, corporate welfare, meaningless regulations. Fire 90% of the government employees and make them get a job and work for a living. Talk about welfare. THAT is welfare at its finest...disguised as people "working."
The guy who wrote this, has spent some time trying to emulate an ostrich.
Posted by: TheAlamo | Sunday, October 02, 2005 at 02:55 PM
Some must want democracy in China, otherwise, why would the government need the latest internet crack down to control it? Sad, but those who want democracy may stand little chance of achieving it soon. The Chinese government surely isn't looking democratic here:
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:r_Vo5hf0l8MJ:online.wsj.com/public/article/0,,SB112777213097452525-zRQZ3S8IZkZDPMZNay0R6RUfXOw_20060926,00.html%3Fmod%3Dblogs+wall+street+journal+china&hl=en
Makes me appreciate our freedom.
Posted by: dadreamer | Monday, October 03, 2005 at 12:28 AM