This is a brief note on elections - that bedrock of modern democracy. A key and indispensable pillar of modern democracy - heck modernity - is the notion of elections. Elections, many believe, are a fundamental way for people to express their voice, and some believe even for people to engage in self-determination as envisaged in the Charter of the United Nations. Without … [Read more...] about A Brief Note on Elections – that Bedrock of Modern Democracy…
Analysis
Perceptions of corruption in the US and PRC – not exactly what one would expect
I was casually browsing through Transparency International's website, and noticed something peculiar - even though citizens of the Republic of Georgia have a much higher opinion of their country's ability to deal with corruption in their country relative to their counterparts in the US, and a much more optimistic outlook on the future of public institutions, Georgia ranks 55th … [Read more...] about Perceptions of corruption in the US and PRC – not exactly what one would expect
A Tribute to Run Run Shaw
It is with sadness that we learned that Run Run Shaw - entrepreneur, investor, filmmaker, philanthropist - died Tuesday in his home in Hong Kong at the age of 107. There are few men in modern China - anywhere actually - with the stature, reach, and heart of Run Run Shaw. People who don't pay attention sometimes may associate Shaw with just low-budget Chinese action and horror … [Read more...] about A Tribute to Run Run Shaw
Errors of Soft Power, a Year-end Review
As 2013 comes to an end, we draw upon some lessons of this past year, particularly in regards to the concept of "soft power", which is discussed often on this forum and in the Western media. … [Read more...] about Errors of Soft Power, a Year-end Review
China “Withholding” Visas From Foreign Journalists. Plenty of Self-Censorship At Home.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/china-withholds-visas-nyt-bloomberg-reporters-21144608 This is apparently a continuation of an old story of how China is "expelling" foreign journalists en masse. However, there are some conflicting details in the story itself. "Withholding" visas means they accepted the applications, but won't issue the the visas. However … [Read more...] about China “Withholding” Visas From Foreign Journalists. Plenty of Self-Censorship At Home.