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Thanks for the unPing, SunkenCiv.

It sounds very much like the Baath party example you offer. It also has distinct similarities to the Japanese nationalism (and expansionism) of the late 1930's up until 1941.

There are two nasty little problems. First, China is now the center of manufacturing for the world - and, should they decide to wage war, they would have a notable advantage over the rest of us. We would have trouble even finding clothing or shoes for our troops if we were in a conflict with them.

The second problem - which connects with the previous thread on oil - is that if their economy stagnates for whatever reason (say, high energy prices or a global recession) the populace might become restive. And they wouldn't be the first country to choose war as a diversion for an unhappy population.

Thanks for the reply.

First, China is now the center of manufacturing for the world - and, should they decide to wage war, they would have a notable advantage over the rest of us. We would have trouble even finding clothing or shoes for our troops if we were in a conflict with them.

Luckily, a conflict with China won't last long. I say "won't" rather than the subjunctive mood "would" because I'm convinced that it is a matter of time.

The second problem - which connects with the previous thread on oil - is that if their economy stagnates for whatever reason (say, high energy prices or a global recession) the populace might become restive. And they wouldn't be the first country to choose war as a diversion for an unhappy population.

I quite agree. China's stupid ZPG policy (which is actually a population decline policy) has resulted in a surplus of around 40 million men and boys. That's one reason (besides policy differences) that I think a war with China (started by China) is only a matter of time. As Mao said, "I believe it is characteristic of the situation today that the East Wind is prevailing over the West Wind." That kind of hubris (from 1957, not long after the Chinese fed American guns to the tune of 100s of 1000s in Korea) is still there.

Even if China doesn't use that population to wage an enormous invasion of someone -- say, Taiwan (and boy, what a coincidence that they China just happens to have such a surplus) -- the future of China is very bleak. Besides TB which is epidemic, 50 years or so from now there will be a huge burden of older folks, many of them old men with no children or other descendents. China will have to bring in guest workers by the millions just to have enough caregivers.

China is nationalistic, but not along the Japanese nor Baathist lines. It is more along modern India's model. Both countries had a glorious past followed by centuries of chaos. Now that both countries figured out how to survive in a modern world and making great materialistic gains, their national pride and nationalism is coming back to the surface. They believe that they are now in position to reclaim their place in the world. I do not think China will go nuts when oil is too expensive. Unlike the US adversion to nuclear power, they will follow the French model of building nuclear power plants and using their abundant supply of coal.

B

26 - "There are two nasty little problems. First, China is now the center of manufacturing for the world - and, should they decide to wage war, they would have a notable advantage over the rest of us. We would have trouble even finding clothing or shoes for our troops if we were in a conflict with them.

The second problem - which connects with the previous thread on oil - is that if their economy stagnates for whatever reason (say, high energy prices or a global recession) the populace might become restive. And they wouldn't be the first country to choose war as a diversion for an unhappy population."

most free-traitors haven't got the ability to grasp such simple concepts. You must approach them on their own level, as 2 year olds.