First, this is a non-sequitur as there’s no direct relation between how China governs its territory and the kind of conditions it imposes/would impose on imperial vassals; by this logic Western (neo)colonialism must be “nice” and democratic because Western countries were until 2024 all democratic (hint: It fucking isn’t). Second, despite the authoritarianism Hong Kong has one of the highest standards of living in the world, higher even than mainland China. What exactly is your point here?
My point is that I think authoritarianism is worse than liberal democracy, even when flawed. The trade of individual autonomy and democracy in exchange for promises of stability, progress, and equitable distribution of wealth is compelling for some that believe all the promises - but I don’t believe in the intrinsic good of the State.
Liberal Democracy’s hands aren’t clean by any stretch, but there are mechanisms for recourse by citizens. Governments always think they know best, but authoritarian states have too much concentrated power.
That the trains run on time, or the DOW is over 50000, or quality of life for Hong Kong is better than Guangdong does not excuse state brutality and once power is concentrated, brutality by force and mental/social control efforts are inevitable.
For a glimpse, see Hong Kong
First, this is a non-sequitur as there’s no direct relation between how China governs its territory and the kind of conditions it imposes/would impose on imperial vassals; by this logic Western (neo)colonialism must be “nice” and democratic because Western countries were until 2024 all democratic (hint: It fucking isn’t). Second, despite the authoritarianism Hong Kong has one of the highest standards of living in the world, higher even than mainland China. What exactly is your point here?
My point is that I think authoritarianism is worse than liberal democracy, even when flawed. The trade of individual autonomy and democracy in exchange for promises of stability, progress, and equitable distribution of wealth is compelling for some that believe all the promises - but I don’t believe in the intrinsic good of the State. Liberal Democracy’s hands aren’t clean by any stretch, but there are mechanisms for recourse by citizens. Governments always think they know best, but authoritarian states have too much concentrated power. That the trains run on time, or the DOW is over 50000, or quality of life for Hong Kong is better than Guangdong does not excuse state brutality and once power is concentrated, brutality by force and mental/social control efforts are inevitable.
To me anyways