“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.
I was afraid that would be interpreted differently from what I intended...sorry.
What I meant was gasoline lines.
I didn't mean Hitler style.
People oversell the "liberating influence of trade" with these nominal-communists, however, the consumerization of the chinese lower-to-middle class I believe wiggles the tightrope on which the Party has to tread.
If there were a massive interruption of oil in China (due to middle east or Sinopec corruption or whatever) then it would affect a large base of the socio-economic pyramid. And the chinese people have a temper!
The Party might be able to deflect that fury at the West via a big army draft, load everyone on a tanker and invade LA, but I don't think so. Seems more likely that the people would turn mob and throttle all the local bosses.
I believe that the Party is going to be a threat to the USA. But I do not believe that that necessarily means that they can count on the support of the people. And I also don't believe that the Party is safe -from- the Chinese people.