10-13-2010, 10:57 AM
"Strong" is problematic as a descriptive term in that it can be defined in multiple, even contradictory, ways. One can be physically strong in the sense of being capable of beating someone to a pulp or morally(?) strong in choosing not to do so. One could even be charismatically(?) strong in being able to convince others that one could and would beat them to a pulp even when one couldn't.
I think China's greatest strength is in the form of the latter. Sure, there are a few brave democracy protesters, but in a country of over 1 billion people? I think the leadership of China is very strong in the sense of keeping the people subjugated. And very smart in the way it has slowly relaxed its iron grip--I don't expect revolution in China any time within at least the next decade or two.
The people are potentially very strong but, until they throw off the mindset they have been indoctrinated with since childhood, they're effectively weak. And since the goverments control over their lives is so strong, and since they can see things getting better (ie. the grip is being relaxed) then they're unlikely to do that. A people has to be being squeezed ever tighter for a revolution to erupt.
As for China's position on the world stage. It punches below its weight (just as England punches above its). So you could certainly say that as a country it is weak in terms of the influence it exerts internationally.
Militarily? Nobody would ever try to invade it but I wouldn't expect to ever see it invading a strong country either. Taiwan will never take China and China will never take Taiwan.
I think China's greatest strength is in the form of the latter. Sure, there are a few brave democracy protesters, but in a country of over 1 billion people? I think the leadership of China is very strong in the sense of keeping the people subjugated. And very smart in the way it has slowly relaxed its iron grip--I don't expect revolution in China any time within at least the next decade or two.
The people are potentially very strong but, until they throw off the mindset they have been indoctrinated with since childhood, they're effectively weak. And since the goverments control over their lives is so strong, and since they can see things getting better (ie. the grip is being relaxed) then they're unlikely to do that. A people has to be being squeezed ever tighter for a revolution to erupt.
As for China's position on the world stage. It punches below its weight (just as England punches above its). So you could certainly say that as a country it is weak in terms of the influence it exerts internationally.
Militarily? Nobody would ever try to invade it but I wouldn't expect to ever see it invading a strong country either. Taiwan will never take China and China will never take Taiwan.
"The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool."