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.
democracy
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?
(Letter from sophie, Opposing Viewpoint) Imagining the current US election happens in China…
I have been following this year's US election. As an onlooker, there is some kind of entertaining element in my interest. But, at the same time, I am asking myself how it would be like if this election process was run in China, a country of 1.3 billion population. Since i don't know the US election process very well, I am asking simple questions here: how feasible is democracy … [Read more...] about (Letter from sophie, Opposing Viewpoint) Imagining the current US election happens in China…
Thailand's political turmoil
The recent political turmoils have received relatively scant coverage in the Western Press. Nevertheless, many of us here at Foolsmountain think the events in Thailand are important and interesting because they touch upon so many interesting issues - including the rule of law, democracy, class warfare, public education, and the role of military - all of which are also … [Read more...] about Thailand's political turmoil
Understanding Democracy
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