Tyrants of the World Unite!
Think about it: If only deposed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak had hired China’s security services to harden Tahrir Square last year he would still be skimming the vig off U.S. foreign aid rather than awaiting justice, Muslim Brotherhood-style.
I don’t know what the future holds for China as between progressive political liberalization versus a return to hard line Marxism. But I do know that any successful democracy movement won’t get its start in Tiananmen Square. The site of the short-lived 1989 democracy movement is more secure than the departure lounge at an international airport. All visitor bags are x-rayed at a security checkpoint outside the square. Inside, police officers patrol on foot and supervise from fixed locations. There’s even a ready reserve of mounted cavalry on Segways—are they built in China, too?—ready to ride to the rescue as need arises.
And just in case you beat the odds, timing your pro-democracy outburst to avoid the patrols, every lamppost bristles with more cameras and antennae than an Aegis cruiser, truncating your Warholian 15-minutes of fame to mere moments.
This is one export opportunity the Chinese seem to be missing out on. So far.
- Comment (9)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (0)
Comments :
Mar '11
Re: Tyrants of the World Unite!
Don't give Mr Obama ideas.
Mar '11
Re: Tyrants of the World Unite!
Let us not forget China: Internal Security Spending Surpasses Army Budget, 624.4 billion yuan as compared to 601.1 billion yuan. Of course these are only the official numbers, the actual amount being used to surpress dissent must be even more spectacular. Truly a 21st century police state. I wonder if this is what the Soviets would have crafted if they had had such wealth.
May '10
Re: Tyrants of the World Unite!
Based on what I've read in recent years, mostly at Steyn's site, a lamppost like that would not be out of place in London.
May '10
Re: Tyrants of the World Unite!
This is a recent change, a response to the calls for a "Jasmine Revolution", the same thing that blocked Skype when the Chinese democracy activists decided to tag onto the Arab Spring actions. Last time I was there, Tiananmen was like wandering around on the Capitol Mall.
The story there is more complicated than most realize. The biggest issue is that since 2009, there has been no pressure applied to the leadership, particularly in the most important areas, such as religious freedom. The reason appears to be that the current administration doesn't care a whole lot about religion, and has no leverage because the Chinese leadership is important to the current spending and borrowing binge.
Re: Tyrants of the World Unite!
Duane, I think applying the right sort of pressure in the right manner is critical, and now is not too soon. The other day I met with a senior partner in a Chinese consulting firm and heard about the jockeying ahead of next year's "election." No bumper stickers or direct citizen participation, of course, but a once-a-decade Communist Party shuffle is scheduled and competition between today's relatively pragmatic leadership and a revanchist "new left" is heating up.
Unfortunately, right now the wagering favors significant gains for the I <3 Mao contingent.
May '10
Re: Tyrants of the World Unite!
Folks in Zimbabwe may have a different opinion on whether the Chinese are missing out on this export opportunity.
Jun '10
Re: Tyrants of the World Unite!
Glad you mentioned this since I was there 5 years ago and wandered unabated in Tiananmen Square. I thought I just missed something, but it looks like times have changed. A bit haunting.
Edited on Jun 24, 2011 at 9:34pmRe: Tyrants of the World Unite!
I assumed that all the Tiananmen security was a long-term response to the 1989 democracy project, but what I'm gathering from the comments is that this is likely a much more recent response to the "Arab Spring" uprisings. Good to know. Hopefully, the PRC government will ease up again over time.
Nov '10
Re: Tyrants of the World Unite!
I have doubts...