Prologue: On my last trip back to China I brought back some reprints of Republican-era books. The following musings are based on my hasty reading notes. Abstract: The Chinese society functions well when the stuff of its elite works. The American society functions well when the stuff of its elite works and is embraced by its masses (which is far from automatic). The challenge … [Read more...] about Chinese elitism versus American parochialism (aka Sarah Palin-style "democracy"): Musings on how different political systems function. Part I: The Chinese story.
politics
(Letter) Some Chinese Satire: Sanlu Incident Provoked by International Anti-Chinese Imperialist Reactionaries!
A Mainlander uses the Made in China dairy scandal to spoof arguments commonly made by the Chinese government, fenqing, and other blindingly patriotic Mainlanders. … [Read more...] about (Letter) Some Chinese Satire: Sanlu Incident Provoked by International Anti-Chinese Imperialist Reactionaries!
Let's Talk some Cross-Strait Politics
It's been almost four months since Ma Ying-jeou has been sworn into office in Taiwan. After the first few weeks of euphoria, there hasn't been that much published about Taiwan in English sources - partly because of the Olympics, and partly because not much concrete has happened. … [Read more...] about Let's Talk some Cross-Strait Politics
The Next U.S. Administration and the Future of US-China Relationship
Several bloggers here have asked that we start a discussion regarding which of the U.S. presidential candidates might be better for China - or at least, better for a solid U.S.-China relationship. … [Read more...] about The Next U.S. Administration and the Future of US-China Relationship
Can democracy be the solution to Malaysia's ethnic problems?
In a previous discussion on Malaysia's ethnic politics, I was surprised (and dismayed) to sense the depth of dejection some ethnic Chinese in Malaysia may feel toward the political situation in Malaysia. There however may be hope. … [Read more...] about Can democracy be the solution to Malaysia's ethnic problems?