Many of the basic tenants of Western civilization are a façade. Free market and open economy? Yes … but only as a tool to pillage. When a relative economic peer arise – i.e. China – ideals of free market, free trade, and open economies go out the window.
Rule of law? Only when they are the rule makers and ultimate arbiters of law. But when near peers such as Russia and China arise who can also potentially become rule makers and arbiters of law, they have to be denigrated. There can only be one global judge, one enforcer.
Freedom of speech? Only when they are already safe and have control over the tools and channels of discourse. But when they are not safe or have not control … they trash the paper of speech at the first instance. Ok to incite crowds to march on government buildings in Hong Kong … but not in Washington?
Even democracy, enshrined in the charter of the UN, is not an absolute good, in the Chinese view. Sure democracy can be good when a polity works for the common good of the people. But democracy – as in “votocracy” – can also mean lawlessness, mob rule, special interests power grab, and government capture. Democracy can check on governance, but it can also be a façade for criminal leaders to evade their ultimate responsibility.
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March 01, 2023 at 09:25AM
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when Russia and China want to challenge the West over the decrepit current world order, they must be careful. They must make an example of how to be responsible partners working with each other in a new world order. They must become anchors in a new world order – not hegemons-in-cohort. The two responsible stakeholders must mutually understand each respective interests and demonstrate they can work with each other in a positive, mutually reinforcing, “win-win” fashion, despite inevitable differences.
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March 01, 2023 at 09:30AM
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晚安哦