Like Japan, South Korea and Taiwan before it, China has established rapid, sustained economic growth under an authoritarian government. It leaves citizens free to get rich, provided they don’t oppose the government politically. But unlike Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, it has not moved on from that situation to one where a rising middle class successfully demands democracy, even as it values stability.
(full article at uni of Melbournes’ Asialink as a pdf)
Sheridan thnks that the hope of China democratising as it increases in wealth is wishful thinking.
I agree with that, however Sheridan takes their economic success as a given. While China has made great strides in industrialising and wealth creation, it remains to be seen whether the “Chinese Way” is viable in the long term. We don’t yet know how they’re going to come out of the current financial trouble, and we won’t know until their stimulus program finishes. (in other words, when they run out of money).
A lot of discussion about China assumes that
a) China’s economy is, and will continue to be, very successful;
b) China’s continued rise is a given.
Neither of those things can be assumed.