In a previous post I talked about the Liberal tradition (that is, the explicit and formal human rights framework, not to be confused with how people often use the term to refer to a political or economic “left” or being “progressive”) as being a byproduct of religious, political and other kinds of oppression in the west. I also talked about the importance of instituting rule of … [Read more...] about Refilling the Liberal vacuum
Archives for February 2012
The Economist and the South China Sea: It is “complex” if I can’t understand it
The Economist is often held prisoner by its own prejudice arising from its whatever-China-does-internationally-is-wrong stance, and a recent article on the South China Sea disputes proves it. Behold the latest offering from intellectual dungeons of the The Economist: "The devil in the deep blue detail". Sadly, but not surprisingly, the newspaper warns against the … [Read more...] about The Economist and the South China Sea: It is “complex” if I can’t understand it
Reader westiseast’s claim of “zero balance whatsoever” in Chinese media
In the spirit of bridging understanding, reader westiseast responded to my request to give a quick analysis on why he thought there is "zero balance whatsoever" (refer to his original comment as it was a bit more nuanced) in the Chinese press. After all, we frequently criticize the Western press on this blog, it only seem fair we look at the Chinese press too. To give this … [Read more...] about Reader westiseast’s claim of “zero balance whatsoever” in Chinese media
Rethinking democracy
This blog will essentially be a second part to the important discussions Allen and raventhorn started about democracy. I will present a philosophical discussion so that we may better think from a different and deeper perspective about this notion than everyday people may be used to by looking at its fundamental structure. … [Read more...] about Rethinking democracy
Who Are You Calling a Police State and Other Urgent Matters
It's a long running joke that many in the West continue to misleadingly characterize China as a police state. In the run up to the Olympics, there are people who mocked Chinese efforts to provide for a safe and successful Olympics - even though massive security efforts now appear to be quite routine in the West (see e.g., 2002 Olympics, 2004 Olympics, 2006 Olympics, 2010 … [Read more...] about Who Are You Calling a Police State and Other Urgent Matters