China v America: Who Is In Charge?

[Valley Oak]

July 17, 2020

China v America: who is in charge? | The Economist

Global leadership has been missing during the covid-19 pandemic. While President Trump has been pulling America out of global organisations like the WHO, China is seeking to increase its international influence, creating a shift in the world order. Read more here: https://econ.st/3eD5c7n

[Hotspring 44]

That depends entirely on how one interprets things because of the common denominator: "Dictatorship".
One can extrapolate "Dictatorship" as being simply that; a "Dictatorship".

To the one who is being executed, is there really any substantive difference between a dictator's executioners if one is required to wear a hood and the other is required to not wear one for the execution? I don't think so.

No substantial difference to those who are being oppressed.

[Valley Oak]

I agree. Someone once told me that it did not matter if you were being kicked around by the left boot or the right boot because in either case you are getting the boot, which is the issue at essence.

The only acceptable social model or government is some form of a democracy. The more profound, participatory, just, and inclusive the democracy, the better.

[spam1]

Your two choices don't really relate to either China or the US, if you view it in a rational way.

China has a communist party, but other than it having dictator-like powers, it does not really have a communist society in the sense of direct control of production or absence of private property. Much of the growth in China has been in a kind-of free-market system (with payoffs to the right people). There are plenty of direct government businesses, more are private where the government has a hidden stake. But private businesses run so much more effectively that they always outgrow the government institutes that are similar. The party (which is now Xi) is like a benign dictator, mostly leaving the private sector alone -- until you question the party, in which case you will be in a great deal of trouble and they are not so benign then. China will do what is in the party's best interest, and I don't think they give any value to non-Chinese, any where else in the world.

Federalism in the US makes the leadership (President mostly) much less of a dictator than he might want to be. And to the extent that he has such powers it is almost all caused by laws allowing federal agencies to make really wide-ranging rules, with little connection to limitations by congress; it is in the interpretation of these rules that the presidential power lies. But, in most ways that count, state governors, under the declaration of an emergency, are the closest thing we have to dictatorship. It is not at all clear that the president, even under emergency powers, can do things like shut down local business in states or mandate mask wearing. He hasn't the legal authority and hasn't the means to enforce it. Reference the fact the marijuana is federally illegal but locally legal and there is nearly no federal enforcement.

Now, that doesn't mean money (oligarchy) doesn't have a tremendously strong influence, but our oligarchs aren't necessarily going the in same direction: most people would argue that Koch (not brothers now) and Bezos are opposing forces. The only thing they have in common is wealth, and one might concede that at least one of them exploits workers to the greatest extent that they can.

W.R.T the world, the US had a kind-of altruistic veneer tinged by it's self interest for sure. This president has certainly retreated from the idea of being a world leader. Does the rest of the world need a leader? or want one?

[Valley Oak]

Kraut, Oct 16, 2019

Here is someone's well researched opinion: "Trump's Biggest Failure"

[Valley Oak]

Anton Petrov, Oct 9, 2020

Will This Chinese Startup Be The First To Mine Asteroids?

This video is about space mining and a Chinese startup that might become the first to do so. If the Chinese succeed, they will have surpassed the United States in the greatest scientific endeavor in world history. Their site: http://origin.space

[Valley Oak]

superwog1, Aug 24, 2014

America v China: RAP BATTLE

[Valley Oak]

People's Daily, China, Oct 18, 2020

Relocation of 85-year-old Lagena Elementary School in Shanghai, China.

The 7,600-ton building “walked” 18 days through an arc of 61.7 m and turned 20.97 degrees, setting multiple records. The relocated school will be preserved as a cultural landmark.

[podfish]

I bet Victorian engineers could have done that too.. it's way cool, but it's just hydraulics - at least as far as I can tell from the way it's reported. People have moved big heavy things for millenia. But it's always impressive!

[Valley Oak]

Sep 4, 2020

China v America: why universities are on the front line | The Economist

The covid-19 pandemic could cause a massive drop in the number of Chinese students travelling abroad. That would be disastrous for many Western universities—but for the Chinese government, it is a geopolitical opportunity. Read more here: https://econ.st/3557Pxz