Democracy Takes Root in Rural Areas

[Stepbrow]

China is talking more and more about democracy. Yesterday I read the article about Wen Jiabao speaking positively about democracy, and now an article in China Daily about Democracy in China's rural areas.

 

Well, if I can paraphrase the old Chinese saying "Talk is cheap, actions are what matter."

 

What strange times we live in.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-03...ent_9521575.htm

[ShaQuaNew]

China is talking more and more about democracy. Yesterday I read the article about Wen Jiabao speaking positively about democracy, and now an article in China Daily about Democracy in China's rural areas.

 

Well, if I can paraphrase the old Chinese saying "Talk is cheap, actions are what matter."

 

What strange times we live in.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-03...ent_9521575.htm

 

Western democracy in any form, is just not gonna happen in China. I know there are a lot of hopeful souls that want it to happen, in a belief that it would somehow be a better thing. China is doing just fine right now.

[GDBILL]

China is talking more and more about democracy. Yesterday I read the article about Wen Jiabao speaking positively about democracy, and now an article in China Daily about Democracy in China's rural areas.

 

Well, if I can paraphrase the old Chinese saying "Talk is cheap, actions are what matter."

 

What strange times we live in.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-03...ent_9521575.htm

 

Western democracy in any form, is just not gonna happen in China. I know there are a lot of hopeful souls that want it to happen, in a belief that it would somehow be a better thing. China is doing just fine right now.

 

 

It's very, very premature to say "in any form," especially with the changes over recent years. If any form of democracy rears its head in China, it will be "with Chinese characteristics."

[TLB]

China is talking more and more about democracy. Yesterday I read the article about Wen Jiabao speaking positively about democracy, and now an article in China Daily about Democracy in China's rural areas.

 

Well, if I can paraphrase the old Chinese saying "Talk is cheap, actions are what matter."

 

What strange times we live in.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-03...ent_9521575.htm

 

Western democracy in any form, is just not gonna happen in China. I know there are a lot of hopeful souls that want it to happen, in a belief that it would somehow be a better thing. China is doing just fine right now.

 

 

It's very, very premature to say "in any form," especially with the changes over recent years. If any form of democracy rears its head in China, it will be "with Chinese characteristics."

 

I agree, and that's as it should be; any development that increases the government's accountability to the people, and the people's ability to be heard, is a good one, IMO, no matter what you call it.

[Stepbrow]

Dare I say Chinese democracy will be as uniquely Chinese as Chinese communism?

 

 

Yes, you dare. Each culture defines how democracy works for them. Ancient Greece and Rome defined how it worked for them. England has its system, and so do the Swiss, etc, etc, etc.

[GDBILL]

Dare I say Chinese democracy will be as uniquely Chinese as Chinese communism?

 

Of course.

 

The phrase "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" is in the vocabulary of practically every primary school student here. Heck, just about everything adopted from abroad here is with "Chinese characteristics." Why not democracy, too?

[Guest jin979]

Dare I say Chinese democracy will be as uniquely Chinese as Chinese communism?

 

Of course.

 

The phrase "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" is in the vocabulary of practically every primary school student here. Heck, just about everything adopted from abroad here is with "Chinese characteristics." Why not democracy, too?

 

 

because there is nothing to gain for the ordinary people in china to adopt a system that has oppressed the ordinary people in the west. Good for the rich and corrupt, we already had that, dont need it again .

Edited March 3, 2010 by jin979 (see edit history)

[GDBILL]

Dare I say Chinese democracy will be as uniquely Chinese as Chinese communism?

 

Of course.

 

The phrase "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" is in the vocabulary of practically every primary school student here. Heck, just about everything adopted from abroad here is with "Chinese characteristics." Why not democracy, too?

 

 

because there is nothing to gain for the ordinary people in china to adopt a system that has oppressed the ordinary people in the west. Good for the rich and corrupt, we already had that, dont need it again .

 

Oppressed? You mean oppression like murdering college students in Tiananmen Square? Oppression like putting people in gulags because they think there should be more than one political party? Or do you mean oppression like destroying a family's home because they have more than one child?

 

One would have to be very small-minded to believe that any one system has a monopoly on oppression.

Edited March 5, 2010 by GDBILL (see edit history)

[david_dawei]

to believe that any one system has a monopoly on oppression.

I would generally agree... every culture is about brainwashing, control and oppression of some to benefit others... usually those making the decisions

[Tony_onrock]

Democracy in rural areas, what a smart comment. They know that most of the people in rural areas are intellectually incapable of expressing their thoughts or make any informed decisions. Thus it is safe to talk about it.