By Fareed Zakaria, CNN
You rarely hear the words "China" and "election" in the same breath. Unlike the U.S., France, or Egypt - all of which do have elections coming up - China has a "leadership transition" this year. This is a planned event where handpicked individuals are promoted up.
But there were real elections in China last week - of the people and by the people. There was a democratic vote with real ballots, real candidates, and real, clean results.
Welcome to Wukan. It's a small fishing village in South-East China, just a few hundred miles from Hong Kong. The story began a few months ago, when the villagers of Wukan protested against a "land grab".
Those are not so uncommon in China - corrupt officials often snatch privately held agricultural plots and sell them to developers for high prices. Protests are not uncommon, either. It is said that tens of thousands of demonstrations - just like this one in Wukan - have taken place in China every year. Two-thirds of those are because of land disputes.
So what made Wukan different?
For one, the people didn't give up. They were remarkably organized in holding noisy mass rallies and they drove out the local leaders who were complicit in the "land grabs".
But what is unusual here is the response. The provincial government, led by Party Secretary Wang Yang, conceded to the villagers' demands. On his call, the province returned some of the disputed farmland, released detained activists and allowed the villagers to hold their own elections.
All that led to scenes last week of 6,000 villagers voting in an organized fashion. The media, both local and Western, were allowed full access. And the main winners were the same protestors who led the rebellion.
So democracy is possible in China.
Wukan is now being talked of as a model for other Chinese villages. The theory goes that a "Wukan Effect" will sweep the country and create more uprisings, making it harder for the government to crack down. That, in turn, will lead to a larger democratic movement at the highest levels of government.
I 'm not sure that's going to happen anytime soon in China. For every Wukan, there is a Tibet. China's leaders know how to brandish an iron fist just as they know how to use a velvet glove.
The key here is to understand the way China functions. Villages (where rebellions are most likely) fall under the rule of provincial leaders. These leaders are immensely powerful, and with great levels of autonomy. So they make their own independent decisions on a case-by-case basis. But the idea that central command in Beijing would allow broader national moves towards democracy is probably a fallacy. Try protesting at Tiananmen Square in central Beijing and you'll see for yourself.
There is one larger potential trend here. Watch China's leadership transition later this year very closely. The top posts seem to be decided. But if reform-minded provincial leaders - like Wang Yang - make the nine-member Politburo Standing Committee (the group that actually runs China), then perhaps there may be a shift towards some looser controls.
Wukan is a heartening story. But remember one thing: Change in today's China is rarely bottom-up and sweeping in nature. If there's going to be change, for now it's going be incremental and it will come from the top down.
For more of my thoughts throughout the week, I invite you to follow me on Facebook and Twitter and to visit the Global Public Square every day. Also, for more What in the World? pieces, click here.
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In case anyone hadn't noticed, there's a lot of people in China. And when something is definitely awry, even the spark from a village has the potential to ignite a storm of opposition. True patriotism in China, like some other nations, is stronger in it's people than perhaps any where else. And more recently, this message seems to be ringing louder and clearer in China, so those in positions of power should take heed. Otherwise face a potential tsunami of protest (or worse) at any given moment.
Strong individual patriotism; a potential force that many leaders and governments do not necessarily want to promote much these days. Go figure.
With my limited knowledge in the subject conceded, I believe China is craving creativity. I think they realize the link between "freedom" and its precurser, which is genuine creativity.
And if/when I go to China to work, I will gladly share my ideas with them and we will have a great time. Virtual computing will be at hand! lol
How many thousands of innocent people were slaughtered by the Chinese authorities and military in Tiananmen Square?
.
中共賣國 -
黃金坪島
绸缎島
黑瞎子島
庫頁島
江心坡
南坎
白龍尾島
蘇岩礁
弹丸礁
黄岩島
中業島
藏南
釣魚島
琉球群島
蒙古
.
NOT THE KINDS OF DEMOCRACY THAT THE WESTERN WORLD ARE TALKING ABOUT – CHAOTICS WITHOUT CENTRAL PLANNINGS FOR NEW DEVELOPEMENTS! ARE YOUR PEOPLE CRAZY!!
Remember the thousands of innocent people, who were slaughtered by the Chinese authorities and military in Tiananmen Square.
Kwok head, do you ever remember or try to remember how many native Americans , Laostians, Vietnamese, Cambodians, Iraqis, Afghans etc.. killed by your uncle? Do you even realize that just a few decades ago there was still segregation in America? You sound exactly like those typical American kwok heads who have zucked their uncle's kwok one time too many and swallowed one mouthful too much. The only problem is that you don't know you are full of it.
Maersk,
I am opposed to any atrocities, regardless of who perpetrated the crime.
Do you not know that there were Christian’s who opposed the enslavement and mistreatment of the native peoples of South, Central and North America, when the Spanish and Portuguese made their conquests in the fifteenth—eighteenth centuries?
Do you not know that there were Americans who protested the unfair and unjust treatment of the Native Americans and the African slaves, who were brought to America from Africa and other parts of the world?
Do you make a habit of judging and condemning someone, without knowing the facts?
I suggest that read your history more carefully and do your homework, before unjustly condemning someone.
How unjust!
Barry G., the typical American kwok head who's zucked his uncle's kwok one time too many and swallowed one mouthful too much said: "I am opposed to any atrocities, regardless of who perpetrated the crime". If that was the case, where the phuck were you when your uncle sent those soldiers to Iraq to commit crimes against humanity? Don't tell me that you thought they were there looking for a real Iraqtion only and that's why you didn't interfere. Furthermore, one of the soldiers your uncle sent to Afghanistan to commit atrocities had just killed another 16 civilians.
By the way, you should be more creative and innovative and come up with your own kind of God to worship, relying on worshiping an imported religion you call Christianity is pathetic. Do you realize it is cruelty that you are worshiping? I certainly will not worship a fairy tale of a man who was supposedly nailed to a cross. For me, I worship my Goddess and I pray like this: shi shi shi....oh my God! shi shi shi...oh my God! I'm coming!
Wow Maersk, you are astoundingly un-clever and inarticulate. Repeating the word 'kwok' and making obscene references...probably just some communist flunky paid to spam comment sites at any hint of criticism of the government.
Rog, the typical American kwok head, obviously, you are much more articulate. Why don't you open your kwok zucking mouth widely and service your uncle orally to his satisfaction.
Maersk,
Your comments here are absolutely pathetic. You contribute nothing to this article but a perverted narcissistic diatribe directed at others with sensible opinions. The internet is rich with people like you, like a plagued zit oozing puss into the face of any near it.
Good riddance to you
Mathew the kwok head, you definitely have made contribution to your uncle's happiness and satisfaction by zucking his kwok. You should hurry up and swallow what's oozing out of his kwok. How else can you be full of it if you don't swallow? Shock and awed!
You are completely possessed by your own angst.
And for the record, you are the only one here acting like a kwok. Get off this american website if you have such a problem with us, get back to annoying your own people.
I hope all american like you will never look other but enjoy themself. chinese need time to get better when other are dreaming.
I hope that day will come soon. Let Democracy come into China. Chinese are not second class citizens of the world taking in the rear, producing all the cheap labor for the greedy corporate markets. They deserve to live as free people with the dignity and freedom accorded under international law.
It is my hope and prayer that the good people of China will have good, free, and fair governance.
Most of the world wants good things for the good people of China.
Unfortunately the powerful elite of china are not going to relinquish their hold on power or the priviledged life they enjoy, at the expense of the people.
And we are the ones who will tell China what to do and how to do it when it comes to governing their country. Right?
Tsering Dolker, the lama lover and Barry G., the typical American kwok head, since your uncle received the Nobel peace prize for sending U.S. soldiers to commit crimes against humanity in Iraq and Afghanistan and Dalying Lama received his for coming up with a theory and supposed to have proved that there is such thing as reincarnation, I will nominate both of you as the receive the Typical American BS Artists awards.
Now it's 21st century and all over the world, people need full independent and freedom. The chinese government should have change their policy towards its people. whether they follow communist rule or democracy it should be pure and meaningful one. China is not a meaningful socialist state according to its own term. Peace could last forever!!!!!!!
great work! im in complete awe to see this dimnesion of yours n that too so well-etched n honest to the core. Today,i feel proud being an avid n dedicated listener of the songs which are written by someone who has such in-depth knowledge of our literature. you've made me a very proud person today!THANKS for doing this.
China with its 8% + growth and remarkable stability can only be stopped by democracy. Look at what hapenned to the the other democratic countries in the world.
Best the West encourage democracy and the self destruction of China.
Yes, China is a wonderful example of how to do things politically. Lets run our people over with tanks...that is remarkably stable. China's growth will eventually wane, and the chances of an uprising will multiply, as is typical of Chinese history.
Please be fair and name at least one people being ran over by tanks. Stop making stories!
@generaj However it was generally known that a couple hundred or so had died during the end of the Tianmen Square protests (albeit due to confusion among army soldiers in regard to the protestors). Regardless whether it occurred via tank or by gunfire.
Rich the kwok head, you should worry your having to zuck your uncle's dirty kwok for a living than to worry about Chinese uprising.
By the way, were you one of those who was arrested by your uncle for doing the "occupy"?
26 Tibetans have self-immolated so far. Do you think it did not happen if somebody doesn't know their names? Even official Chinese Govt. reported that there were some casualty – perhaps less than a dozen. Of course it is highly propaganda but still you have more than one! Looking at eye witness reports from those who fled and other sources, it is in thousands. Maybe you should do a little research before you open your mouth.
Respected, Mr. Fareed Zakaria Garu, About China concerns, Communist Comrades and peoples way of thinkiing and liveing strategy is different. About Democracy concerns, 50% people following Democracy rules and Ethics. Onether 50% people till now,they donot known about Democracy. In my verdict, at least 50years will take time to know about Democracy.
Not to be disrespectful but I notice you made several gramatical errors. I agree with your argument, and may I ask if you are perhaps from China speaking from personal experience?
Kwok head, if it is American style of democracy which is more like a demo-of-crazy where a fool who didn't know the difference between Iraqtion and errection was able to steal the presidency you're talking about, the Chinese should stick to what they have.
It's spelled 'E R E C T I O N".
kwok head, your democratically elected fool spelled it "Iraqtion" and that is exactly why he thought he could get an iraqtion by going to Iraq.
You sir, are an idiot
It‘s nice to see that credible elections are allowed in China. The possibility for wider electoral freedom isn‘t something i‘d put a bet on it considering how the authorities have treated critics like Wei-Wei.
Ai Wei-Wei is a guy who loves fun and likes to attract attention. He is a privileged elite who has been oddly portrayed to us as a critic.
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Centralism had always been the form of government in China, which was abolished in 1912 after 2.000 years of practice. The Revolution in 1911 had a bottom-up nature and led to a long period of unrest, wars and gievances until Mao Zedong took the helm. Since the foundation of the People's Republic in 1949 it has resumed its centralised character. That's why the powerholders in China are wary of grassroots movement.
Love GPS but I am frustrated at the constant disrepectful interuptions that the guest panelists exhibit towards each other. Either they need to behave better or Mr. Zakaria needs to moderate more effectively because a lot of the discussion is lost. It is turning me off to the show which is a shame.
Does anyone actually believe that the powerful elite of China will give up their power and privilege and allow that country to have democracy?
You have no idea of China. This is not the first time of election, and village election for lower officials is a common thing. We just don't elect directly for president, so what?! And when you talking about "handpicked", can you tell me who picked next president? NO! That is decided by Communist Party internal ELECTION. So stop thinking Democracy is the only one does election. Get some idea.
I urge anyone living in China to be extremely careful about what they say or write.
Chinese officials monitor all communication, and if anyone dares to say or write anything that displeases them or does not meet with their approval, there is no telling what could happen to the person.
Imprisonment, without a trial; incarceration in a slave labor camp (a concentration camp); or worse!
Remember the thousands of innocent people, who were slaughtered by the Chinese authorities amd military in Tiananmen Square.
I encourage everyone in China to be extremely cautious about what they say or write, or we may never see these people again.
Incidentally the great author, George Orwell, wrote his book, 1984, about China and other ruthless, unjust and totalitarian governments.
I am very fortunate to live in a free country. If I said (or wrote) these things in China, the Chinese government would make sure that I was promptly arrested and never seen again.
Mr Barry, don't you know how many homes of Muslims are searched in USA without any reason. US agencies are also watching thousands of Muslims in USA, what they write and do.This is same as china is doing.
Imprisonment, without a trial, is done by USA also, open your eyes.
Tahir,
One of the good things about living in America is the fact that–a person may be charged, but they are considered innocent, until proved guilty by law. We even appoint legal counsel, if a person can't afford it.
In China, North Korea and other totalitarian regimes and dictatorships, a person is guilty once charged, and there won't be any trial. And if there is a trial, it's a farce.
Where do you want to live?
Barry G. String said: "I urge anyone living in China to be extremely careful about what they say or write." Doesn't he sound like a typical American kwok head who is afraid to see the shadow of his limply kwok? I suggest that he buys himself a bottle or two expired viagrra to overdose, this way he will not be so scaredy to see the shadow of his own kwok.
Barry G.
Tell that to the people in Gitmo.
kwok head, I truly believe that your uncle's powerful ijacqulation will give you a mouthful.
Your basic lack of intelligence is showing...
Dear Mr Barry,
its my own suggestion and i don't know whether it's right or wrong. but let me share first. in on going china's policy, there are lots of conflicts and problems, even the chinese officials, they knew that something is turning wrong in their system. but they are not changing their way and they keep suppressing the people in different ways. because they believe that peace will come through violent. that is their only perception. iNever!!!!!! Peace and violent will never go with hands to hands. That why i think one day all over the china will start revolution and communist will fall. I am waiting for the day and i wish i can breath fresh air from my own country...... Free Tibet
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Coming soon to a Walmart near you...The Bristol Palin Dancing Cow Doll. Pull the string and it stares at you with a blank look on its face.
Bomb Irans Nuke Sites into Oblivion!
That is like a genuine American.
No. Don't "nuke" Iran. Let the Chinese have 'em. They'd soon be asking the West to "nuke" the Chinese...
Democratic action at the local level....good to hear about. Nice to see. Better change the economic timeline by which China eclipses the US. China will endure a much more sustainable and beneficial future with a socio-political-economic model that is inclusive. It is, despite its often chaotic appearance, why the US and many other Western nations continue to persevere and prosper. It may not be as efficient as central control, but democracy will make for a better neighbor in China and safer, more secure world for generations of humans.
China's long tradition of social stability and well-ordered behavior among its citizens make it a place where democracy should flourish.
"...should flourish". But won't. Let 'em continue their witless 5000 year march into overpopulated environmental disaster.
Democracy is BS. there is a reason we are not a democracy why would we wish that garbage on other people.
In USA you need to spend millions if you have even flu and for lawyer you also need millions to fight small things. I cannot understand what type of democracy is this and why US people are proud of USA. Perhaps they are proud because they can kill anyone.
China's leaders crave stability. Democracy can be very stable because a nation's power is resting like a pyramid on its base and not balancing precariously upside down on its tip. Handled well, the Chinese leadership could possibly democratize their country gradually from the bottom up. It would be a tremedous accomplishment for them and the whole world. This is a very interesting article. I had no idea such things as local elections were being allowed in China. Technology is rapidly replacing human labor in just about every industry, so cheap simple chinese labor will not be the solution for earnings for china much longer. Innovation and invention will be needed and with it more freedom to make that possible will be required. Nice article.
It might sounds like a surmountable task for China to transform to democracy. But remember it only took China about 15 years to give almost every one (1 billion people) enough food and variety to eat, and a shower head, lifting the country from a status quote not better than North Korea now. It started from 'losen up" from the bottom level, when the first farmer vendor brought his produce directly to a street side (market was not allowed yet) to sell, not being arrested. Then tens of farmers, tens of cities followed the suite. It started with one lady in a city wearing a colorful dress (probably smuggled from HongKong), not being 're-educated' and detained, then hundreds of ladies copied in a fashion frenzy in all cities. It was almost foolish and funny for all the ladies wearing the same dress. but it's almost faster than the Internet. The same thing in 2nd year or the 3rd came in high-rises.... The frenzy change just swept the country in 10 years, before more sophisticated business took hold. I see democracy undergo a similar path.
There way doesn't have to be like ours! Every country is unique in its own way and its culture and history defines its political system, not a bunch of self righteous American politicians in Washington. At least the Chinese hand pick a DIFFERENT leader every couple of years. Too bad Russia and Israel can't do the same! And unfortunately while Israel tries to portray itself as a democracy, it keeps electing the same war mongering bullies like Netenyahu for president again and again! Pathetic!
You can add to the list of positives:
No leadership personality cult today.
Chinese people seem to be free to travel outside the country and attend college outside China.
On the other hand, the authoritarian sort of facistic/communistic mind-set in China may very well be viewed by some as a positive governing attribute that works, a different approach to running a complex country. Let's hope its not a role model for other countries whose "revolutions" are evolving.
Arab Spring happened because those Arab nations were struggling economically. This is not the case for China. Democracy has no chance to succeed in China. Even in Taiwan it's failing.
Arab spring happened because US agencies was behind this spring and those rulers were not able to fight against US forces and agencies.Chines rulers are not so weak.
Nonsense. The US didn't see the Arab Spring coming. It was a complete surprise. You are just an internet troll of the worst sort.
Mr cheese it may be a surprise for US people, just like the report of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, but not for US agencies.
And your uncle arrested the occupiers and said to them: wonton spelled back ward, not now!
Silence RUSH L., we are America, land of the....... oh wait.....
"The Lib's are coming, the Lib's are coming!!!"
You mean silence Rush the Dope Addict who travels to the islands with a jar of Viagra.
China firstly needs to establish two parallel systems of law legislation and law enforcement, so that the election can be run by rule of laws. Otherwise, even if you held an election, the defeated would not surrender and would launch a military coup. China now largely does not have the law systems. It is still governed by whomever currently in every level of power.
The West should push to set up five or ten law schools in China, and have the best wise minds educated deeply with the concept of laws and the methods of enforcing laws. Then election comes naturally in place. For 2~3 thousand years, China has deep tradition of using the brightest (now the highest scored Public Servant Exam) to be placed in important posts. Having those people graduated from real western law schools is the hope of democracy, NOT empty words of "election" or "democracy". At least offering our law school courses to those current Chinese law schools will introduce some profound change. This is the way to go if you are seeking real profound change in China, not just some excitement of chaos like in Egypt and Iraq.
totally agree (even though I hope China will not have the over supply of the layers' problem as we have here). it will take time for Chinese people to get used to the rule of law which is a necessary and pre condition for a successful democracy. it may take another generation or so. Well, it could surprise everyone in the world that it will come sooner. How many of us predicted that Chinese people will be so much better off now than that of 30 years ago, both economically and politically (after all, you can see every Chinese visitors here to speak up their own mind). I do have family in China and I wish the transition will be smooth and peaceful, not like those happening in Arab right now.
Democracy in China? No. Mr, Karissa do you really think you have democracy in the US? Think about it very carefully if you think you have.
Democracy in China? No. Mr, Zakaria do you really think you have democracy in the US? Think about it very carefully if you think you have.
Sorry I didn't spell your name correctly in the previous comment.
Such statement was once given by Qaddafi and you have seen his end. So be careful and don't say such things.
If you have lived in US long enough, gone through a general election, disagreed, chided or even hated your opposite side, nonetheless on the election day, gone to the polling station, quietly entered your vote with dignity, without being threatened, and respected your opposite side of voters and considered them to have the same right as you did, no matter how much you've disagreed, you would know US has REAL democracy, at least to the great level better than those in China can enjoy.
At least you should respect and enjoy your own rights here that you are making your post here with dignity, and without fear of retribution.
Not agreeing with you, but respectively,
Wukan is NOT a SMALL village, it is a HUGE village! it has nearly 20 thousands civilians, and a normal Chinese village is usually around 1-3 thousands civilians.
All the Land's in China is owned by the government, it's never sold. You only own the lease on a piece of land. Here is the real reason why "land grab" happens in China. Chinese peasants have no concept of paying taxes, when local government try to collect taxes to pay for all social services they provide, they are often met w/ resistance and sometimes violence. So local government have no choice but to resort to other forms of revenue raising. The leasing out of lands to developer is often the most lucrative way. So when the government comes and try to take what is legally theirs to help fund the social services, the peasant who doesn't pay taxes call it "land grab". Mr. Zarkaria please do your homework and report the situation as they really are. I know painting the Chinese government as the bad guys and bully is a popular passtime but as a journalist you have the professional duty to present the whole and complete truth.
Where do all the Audi A6 vehicles, LV bags, and other personal consumption items come into play? You mention social services but ignore the other side of the expenditure from land-lease.
Huh. Democracy by choice not by it forced down your throat. What a concept.
Elections in the village level have already been there for more than twenty years in China since 1st June, 1988.
The problem in Wukan is that it is so big (20 thousands civilians) that people don't know each other very well. In other villages, e.g. my village, we only have less than a thousand civilians, so people are familiar with each other. The election in our village goes very well now.
Please tell us how the election goes in Tibet while you at it. I call bs on communist cronies masquerading as concerned citizens. you know very well you can't access anything related to Tibet, democracy movement, Jasmine revolution etc. Lets not pretend some democracy here. Zakaria is just putting too much trust in his hopes. There are many who have done that and died hugely dissappointed.
You sound like a lama lover who's longing to have another dish of barbecued Tibetan kwoks. Why don't you encourage more of them to set themselves on fire so that you can video yourself vs. barbecued Tibetan kwoks?
By the way, is your real name Richard Gerbil Gere, the lama lover who got tired of being bitten by his pet gerbil?
The only way to compete with china is by helping Chinese people towards democracy. This way we can lead china to become Iraq.China will have its own suicide bombers and will then never again challenge USA and Europe.
Think I'm going to cook up some fried dog tonight.
Didn't Guns and Roses already do this album? Seriously, China will probably skip the democracy and just jump right into the corpocracy that the U.S. is heading for...
wise. it is what chinese lead for.
This “So democracy is possible in China” is absolutely ridiculous statement, Fareed. Since when you become a Lennon stile dreamer?.
Since he stopped using his bare hand to clean his azz like those Indians do.
Zakaria= Muslim bull cookies
Long live democracy
A man is deported from Germany immediately after his speech because he spoke against becoming Gay and Lesbian. What an example of European freedom and democracy.Long live Chinese leaders.
Comrade Tahir,
A good leader puts the needs and interests of the people, before their own.
An evil leader lives in comfort and pleasure, while the people live in hunger and want.
What kind of leader do you want, Comrade Tahir?
kwok head, your uncle puts his needs before what your azz needs. He certainly does not come just because you want to have a mouthful.
We surely like to counsel China how to govern their country. Let's see how long have we been governing ours compared to how long they have been governing theirs. Do they have us by a few thousand years and we only have a couple of hundred with a much lessr population. But then we do indeed like to counsel other countries, telling many of them they must govern like we do. I am one who believes we do not do such a great job ouselves.
You don't write like a native English speaker. What is your first language?
I lived in both countries. I agree that US has much of a shorter history. But I do think US offers a lot for China to learn. Vice Versa for US to learn from China.
Zakaria: Some intelligence in head?
Romulans don't have elections. Long live the Romulan Empire.
The only Chinese Democracy we'll ever see is the latest Guns N' Roses cd.
I wish world should help Tibet to free them from China.
kwok head, do you realize the word "Tibet" is a Chinese pronunciation referring to the province? So those Tibetans such as Dalying Lama who rely on zucking uncle Sam's kwok for a living should call themselves something else other than Tibetans.
Thanks for the update. I have been wondering myself since not much information is available about the province of Tibet and its story of becoming a global issue for many except for a novel by some escaped German soldiers during the Second World War. Popular imagination is fed more by frenzied rumours than informed views. In many parts of the world, such frenzied rumours go for intelligence too and even as the grounds for conducting state policy. The notion of Buddhism – as even naively understood by me – forecloses violence or the aim of the human life as aspiring for certain material goals, even. Of course, it remains a naive impression of mine and the Buddhists can always cite literature that has Gautama Buddha speak like Chanakya -a political thinker preceding Jesus Christ – or even Krsihna's exposition in the Bhagvat Geetam, of the Indic mythology.
Free Kashmir first
Zakaria: American involvement with China on any level bothers me deeply, but for one reason only: Chinese Communism. There is pretty much nothing of merit in that style of government, yet the Chinese continue to keep ordinary citizens from enjoying personal liberties and self determination through democracy, which I find quite offensive. I hope that someday, during my lifetime, Chinese citizens somehow find a way to throw the chains of that government onto the trash heap of history, but in spite of this limited example of Chinese democracy, I doubt very much that freedom and democracy will get far in China anytime soon.
Bobby the American kwok head, you definitely sound like another U.S. government employee who's been zucking his uncle's dirty kwok for a living. I suggest that you look yourself in the mirror. If you don't have a mirror, you can get yourself a bucket of water. If you don't have water, you can save your urine in the bucket to see your reflection. Here in the U.S., a fool was able to steal the presidency once, started two wars that killed so many people, tripled the national deficit and still got reelected and you call that democracy? It is more like a demo-of-crazy. The only things that are still growing here in America are unemployment, national deficit, and prison population. How dare you lecture the Chinese? You should take a course (an intercourse) with your uncle and let him lecture your azz by bending over instead.
By the way, you need to stop hanging around your uncle's crotch and take a trip to China. Take a look and see if the Chinese are living any differently than you who is full of BS.
"The only things that are still growing here in America are unemployment, national deficit, and prison population."
Maersk , you piece of Chinese excrement, crawl further on down the toilet bowl you live in. I'll give the Chinese
this much: they teach their turds to talk...
Democracy is defined differently in different places and in different times. So typical of our media, please stop making us poke our nose into others affairs. This has not even helped us ameliorate our own situation.
Now between a medieval crusading "christian west" wearing the garb of democracy (quite hilarious, is it not?) and conducting soft pogroms and a fast modernizing and secular China, which one sounds better? They may not yet have liberal democracy, but they definitely do not have any medieval crusade either. They are honest about their democracy and about being a modern and developed state. Given headlines that go: "Who owns the USA? Hint: It is not China" is quite a good start for reflection since your interview with Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore as the editor of Foreign Affairs dear Zakaria. 21st century – I guess that a single-party democracy of a modern China that is honest about its agenda is much better than the cloak-dagger medieval democracies (what an irony) that much of the "west" represents!
I sometimes think Zacharia ought to go to China and have a look around. He doesn't seem to know much more about it than any armchair observer in America. i.e. not much. Go have a look. At local level there are plenty of elections in China.
Who is allowed to vote in local elections?
And how many of the people elected in those local elections are NOT members of the CCP? Is it "democracy" when the only choice you have is which CCP face you want to make your decisions? Would Ai Wei Wei be allowed to run run for
"political" office? I doubt it...China is a dictatorship by committee.
China's been moving towards Democracy for decades. They've been doing it since before Tinnamen Square, they just go about it in a much smarter fashion. They didn't want a Soviet-Style breakup, so they drew down a 50 (guess) year plan. They're practically Democratic now, they're certainly not communist. If they were, Hong Kong wouldn't be anything like it is currently. Chinese are not stupid, they know what needs to be done and how to do it. They didn't survive 4,000 years to screw up in 2.
Wise!
China will never arrive at "democracy" for as long as the CCP is in total control of governance. They'll only have a bad copy of a democracy. Just another bad Chinese Copy of something.
such a greaster insight.
1 dictator = 200+ dictators in a democratic government where they only serve their donors.
16a12d35105hi!,I really like your wiritng very a lot! share we keep in touch more approximately your post on AOL? I need a specialist in this house to solve my problem. Maybe that's you! Having a look ahead to peer you. 187
Mr.Zakaria
You should write next article "Democracy at United Nations". The article should begin with "You rarely hear the words "UN" and "Democracy". Five mad nations deciding about a dispute between other two nations.
Irananian, are you, Tahir? No? Perhaps Syrian.
"On his call, the province returned some of the disputed farmland, released detained activists and allowed the villagers to hold their own elections." This guy, probably a CCP official of some sort, "allowed" an election!? He ALLOWED an election? If China wanted to be "democratic" Chinese LAW would have demanded an election! In China democracy will be practiced when and where the CCP says it will. And that fact alone prevents (and will prevent in the future)
China from being a free democracy.
Ignore China's barking dog, Maersk! He monitors all online China news and barks at everyone who comments.
He's one sick puppy...
China needs political Reform
During the last 4 decades, China no doubt has achieved great economic success. It is the 2nd largest economy in the world, while by the end of 1970's China was literaly bankrupt.
Politically, however, it is no better than 1980s, when the country just decided to open up and reform, only at that time, reform means both economical and political. Today political reform is a taboo. Anyone dare to publicly discuss it can be locked up like Liu Xiaobo. Until now I realize that fundmentaly China is no different than North Korea where the governement hold its people as slave.
Earlier this month, premier Wen Jiabao says that without political reform it is without possibility that China could have another culture revolution. It is sad but true, because the CCP has been full of corruption. The officials are semi-openly grab money for their own good,government took too much wealth from society leaving poor people without healthcare and decent job payment. The widening gap between rich and poor is easily manipulated with ambitious politicains such as Bo Xilai. We are glad to see that he was removed from his office, but without the ensurance of a reliable system, such victory is short and unpredictable.
Legal system is never independent and law is served for the government and party instead of people. Last month, the official asks the lawyer to take the oath, that he must be loyal to the party. The police should be loyal to the party, the army should loyal party, of cause the government should loyal to the party. Who is loayal to the people?
If China hope to have a good future, it must allow freedom of speach, allow the newspaper to express ideas freely, adopt democratic system which should allow multi-party to contest for the power and let the people choose their leader. Only in this way, the poeple of China can truly have the freedom as the rest of the world.
se piacerebbero pure a me RPG "vecchio stmpao", questi sono giapponesi e non si pu pretendere che facciano MMORPG seguendo le culture medievali tipiche del nostro continente. Sarebbe come mangiare "polenta e osei" cucinati da un Siciliano >.<
Bardzo atrakcyjny materiał aż dziwne iż udało mi sie po tej stronie zajść przypadkowo a odszukać towar który mnie interesuje będę cześciej do Ciebie tu wpadał.
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