Wen: Only democracy sustains governance

[Stepbrow]

Premier Wen Jiabao made this statement in a web-chat with Chinese netizens. He discussed Employment, Medicare, Housing, Distribution of Wealth, Household Registration reform, Democracy and transparency in government expenditures, and Taiwan and cross straights efforts.

 

Overall it was a very positive article. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-02...ent_9514445.htm

[GDBILL]

Premier Wen Jiabao made this statement in a web-chat with Chinese netizens. He discussed Employment, Medicare, Housing, Distribution of Wealth, Household Registration reform, Democracy and transparency in government expenditures, and Taiwan and cross straights efforts.

 

Overall it was a very positive article. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-02...ent_9514445.htm

 

"Responding to a netizen's comment on the misuse of public vehicles for personal purposes and public funds for banquets and overseas trips by some government officials, Wen said 'only democracy could help the governance sustain.'"

 

It must be a translation issue because nobody in their right mind would think he is saying that China acknowledges democracy as their target form of government.

[griz326]

It must be a translation issue because nobody in their right mind would think he is saying that China acknowledges democracy as their target form of government.

 

 

...well certainly not USA style democracy. My money is on some Chinese hybrid form of government with elements of democracy, socialism, capitalism, totalitarianism and whatever governance elements that work to improve China. In some ways, China is more capitalistic than the USA is today.

 

Stay tuned, China is shooting for the stars.

[Guest jin979]

Premier Wen Jiabao made this statement in a web-chat with Chinese netizens. He discussed Employment, Medicare, Housing, Distribution of Wealth, Household Registration reform, Democracy and transparency in government expenditures, and Taiwan and cross straights efforts.

 

Overall it was a very positive article. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-02...ent_9514445.htm

 

"Responding to a netizen's comment on the misuse of public vehicles for personal purposes and public funds for banquets and overseas trips by some government officials, Wen said 'only democracy could help the governance sustain.'"

 

It must be a translation issue because nobody in their right mind would think he is saying that China acknowledges democracy as their target form of government.

 

 

why would we want corrupt democracy ?

[Randy W]

Premier Wen Jiabao made this statement in a web-chat with Chinese netizens. He discussed Employment, Medicare, Housing, Distribution of Wealth, Household Registration reform, Democracy and transparency in government expenditures, and Taiwan and cross straights efforts.

 

Overall it was a very positive article. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-02...ent_9514445.htm

 

"Responding to a netizen's comment on the misuse of public vehicles for personal purposes and public funds for banquets and overseas trips by some government officials, Wen said 'only democracy could help the governance sustain.'"

 

It must be a translation issue because nobody in their right mind would think he is saying that China acknowledges democracy as their target form of government.

 

 

why would we want corrupt democracy ?

 

 

Wen Jiabao responded to that, "only democracy could help the governance sustain.'

Edited March 1, 2010 by Randy W (see edit history)

[ShaQuaNew]

Premier Wen Jiabao made this statement in a web-chat with Chinese netizens. He discussed Employment, Medicare, Housing, Distribution of Wealth, Household Registration reform, Democracy and transparency in government expenditures, and Taiwan and cross straights efforts.

 

Overall it was a very positive article. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-02...ent_9514445.htm

 

"Responding to a netizen's comment on the misuse of public vehicles for personal purposes and public funds for banquets and overseas trips by some government officials, Wen said 'only democracy could help the governance sustain.'"

 

It must be a translation issue because nobody in their right mind would think he is saying that China acknowledges democracy as their target form of government.

 

 

why would we want corrupt democracy ?

 

 

Wen Jiabao responded to that, "only democracy could help the governance sustain.'

 

Which at the end of the day, could mean just about anything you want it to mean. One thing for sure, he wasn't referring to China becoming or imitating a Western style anything.

[Randy W]

 

 

Which at the end of the day, could mean just about anything you want it to mean. One thing for sure, he wasn't referring to China becoming or imitating a Western style anything.

 

We might conclude here by saying that it's doubtful that China would want either a corrupt democracy or a corrupt dictatorship.

[a2784]

I think it is a way of saying they need to move to a more transparent govt. in regards to this issue. One of democracies hallmarks is its transparency and requirement to answer to the people.

 

I am just not sure it is really in practice ... anywhere ..

[A Mafan]

Bottom line: Democracy does not always equal voting.

 

Democracy means "rule by the people." You could stretch that to be "rule by the people's will."

 

China is trying to develop democracy without voting through being responsive to the needs/will of the people without opening themselves up to the possibility of being voted out of office.

 

To me, it seems like trying to insist on a benevolent dictatorship, or an enlightened monarch.

 

I don't think it can work, but that's clearly what they are trying to do/claim.

Edited March 1, 2010 by A Mafan (see edit history)

[Tony_onrock]

Question is: how much what he says represent the government and what it means in practice. I personally believe Wen, deep down in his heart is pro-demoracy. Then what he can do against such a large interest group, is doubtful

[3timescharm]

Sure am glad we do not live in a Democracy here in the USA.

 

Democracy = Mob Rule

[Stepbrow]

China is a fascinating place. Things there can change so quickly. I was very surprised just to hear Wen make this statement. It is interesting to observe their government and see how they guide their country through these times.

[david_dawei]

I don't think it can work

why not finish the thought; if it doesn't work, what's the result that will occur?

 

Or you think it's more like bamboo... they may flex and bend it along the way till they find something that works?

[GDBILL]

Premier Wen Jiabao made this statement in a web-chat with Chinese netizens. He discussed Employment, Medicare, Housing, Distribution of Wealth, Household Registration reform, Democracy and transparency in government expenditures, and Taiwan and cross straights efforts.

 

Overall it was a very positive article. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-02...ent_9514445.htm

 

"Responding to a netizen's comment on the misuse of public vehicles for personal purposes and public funds for banquets and overseas trips by some government officials, Wen said 'only democracy could help the governance sustain.'"

 

It must be a translation issue because nobody in their right mind would think he is saying that China acknowledges democracy as their target form of government.

 

 

why would we want corrupt democracy ?

 

As compared to corrupt socialism? Or extremely corrupt communism.

[A Mafan]

I don't think it can work

why not finish the thought; if it doesn't work, what's the result that will occur?

 

Or you think it's more like bamboo... they may flex and bend it along the way till they find something that works?

I guess first I should define "work".

 

I don't think what the Chinese are developing is authentically responsive to the will of the people. You have to know what the will of the people is before you can respond to it. And you have to develop a consistent system of balancing demands of majorities vs minorities, equally minority groups, long term vs short term, etc.

 

So why I think it won't work is because even though the idea of using local party members to canvass citizen opinion and then enacting that mandate through the People's Congress can work in theory, in practice you'll most likely have the elite continuing to do what is good for the elite, and then finding a way to explain why it is good for the populace that overwhelmingly disapproves of it.

 

That even happens in democracies with voting, so it shouldn't be a surprise to see that be the long-term status quo for China, a nation that lacks voting for national-/top-level leaders.