“It is extraordinary to see that the Chinese state, growing rich and powerful and presiding over remarkable economic growth, remains easily frightened. Oftentimes, we see Beijing exhibit irrational nervousness, as though the government is stuck in perpetual fear of losing control. Despite the huge investments made and the latest technology employed to impose order and stability, the mighty Chinese state often behaves like it is only one tiny misstep away from a total collapse.”
I completely agree. It always astounds me how terrified the PRC is of any dissent, of any kind, at any level. It’s easy to see why an autocracy does not invite direct or even indirect criticism, but it’s hard to imagine a more stable governmental set-up anywhere in the world. While there are certainly reasons to worry about demonstrations involving human rights, corruption etc. The likelihood that a government as powerful and ingrained as the PRC could be completely and utterly toppled by netizens is absolutely insane. Of course, the PRC fears any change to its structure or power, not just all-out collapse, but this again begs the question: why? The truth of the matter (for good or ill,) is that granting demonstrations and even ceding to certain requests (a few democratic appointments at very low-levels, say) would do nothing to shake the foundation of the Chinese power structure. It’s a fairly irrational situation, but then, when has any government (Chinese or otherwise,) ever been rational?
Plato must be rolling over in his grave.
