You've got a good point. How many dynasties have fallen in China? Did the people mostly know or care who was up top? Do they now?
As soon as someone resists they drum up some kinda charges and throw them in jail or just shoot them.
That equation only works as long as it works. When there aren't enough people to make the arrests or places to put/kill them, then the balance of power turns to the people.
...Tiannanmen was a drop in the bucket. Just a few kids, isolated, easy to mop up. You put everyone in Shanghai in a gas line and look out, brother.
The chinese are a unique lot. They aren't Dems or Republicans or commies or socialists. They're chinese. As long as the commies can ride the tiger, they'll be nominally in charge.
“How many dynasties have fallen in China? Did the people mostly know or care who was up top? Do they now?”
Several have fallen and the common person didn’t have much influence in the process. Many many died during the process though.
“That equation only works as long as it works. When there aren’t enough people to make the arrests or places to put/kill them, then the balance of power turns to the people.”
Its worked for thousands of years.
“You put everyone in Shanghai in a gas line and look out, brother.”
Can’t remember who did it but one of the emperors took every teacher in his province and invited them to a special party. They ended up burying them all alive.
“The chinese are a unique lot. They aren’t Dems or Republicans or commies or socialists. They’re chinese.”
I agree, they are using communism because it fits their current need. They will change when deemed appropriate.