“And the Chinese? If they’re so smart why do they produce so many thuggish governments? Lots more questions here than answers...”
One word
Christendom.
Christendom gave us the magna carta, the greatest stimulus to political evolution, technological advances, business and commerce.
Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism - - all parts of the Chinese culture... All ethical religions that are philosophically substantial. It just seems odd the Chinese culture with that base could create so many ruling thugs.