For all the talk about democracy leading up to the Olympics, perhaps it is time - in the wake of the Olympics - to take a step back and ponder about what democracy really is. An interesting article appeared in the New Yorker earlier this month about the process of politics. Digging under the hood of democratic politics, it tries to explore two strains of forces that in real … [Read more...] about Understanding Democracy
China
Tony Blair's New Op Ed on China in the Wall Street Journal
I thought I'd bring to people's attention to a recent Op Ed from Tony Blair in the Wall Street Journal on the Rise of China and the Olympics. I think the piece is interesting as a genuine attempt by a Western Leader (or at least a former Western leader) to understand - in good faith - the Rise of China and the Olympics. … [Read more...] about Tony Blair's New Op Ed on China in the Wall Street Journal
Farewell, Chairman Hua
Overshadowed by the Olympics, the news of the passing away of a former supreme leader of China, Hua Guofeng 华国锋, on August 20, 2008 wasn't particularly noticed by many. I would like to use this post to pay respect to Chairman Hua, as he was once called when I was in my childhood, and offer condolences to his family and friends. … [Read more...] about Farewell, Chairman Hua
Recommended reading: China and the West revisited
H/T to David Peng for pointing out this article written by Assaf Lichtash and published in the Jerusalem Post. David also pointed out an interesting discussion thread on this article in Chination Report. … [Read more...] about Recommended reading: China and the West revisited
Recommended readings: Two TPM discussion threads on China
For a change of topic from the Olympics, please check out two recent discussion threads at Talking Point Memo: "Out of Mao's Shadow" and its followup "Do not underestimate the CCP". … [Read more...] about Recommended readings: Two TPM discussion threads on China