Posted by Dinah on August 11, 2008, at 18:35:58
In reply to Re: Any thoughts about the Open Ceremony of the Oly » Sigismund, posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on August 10, 2008, at 22:44:14
I'm not quite sure what boycotting would accomplish, in this situation. China has long been an insular country, if I understand correctly. Isolating them wouldn't be extreme punishment.
I always figure that to some extent, you have to know who you're with to know what will best work. Gandhi's nonviolent protests worked with the British because of the British self concept. It didn't work so well in Tiananmen Square. Trade embargoes worked in South Africa, because the finances of the country depended on outside trade and because the people in charge, the people who had to have a change of heart, were very invested in the financial wellbeing of, well, themselves.
Surely, history has shown that informed prosperous citizens are most likely to institute political reforms themselves? Prosperity to China will bring increased access to international news sources, and prosperity brings its own sets of demands.
I don't think we have enough clout, with all the world combined, to force China's leadership to change their position. And if I were them, outside attempts to force me into something would just harden my heart and think insularity wasn't such a bad thing. I think in the end you have to trust the people of China. An awful lot of people. Good people. Empower the people with information and prosperity, and they will have the tools to make their own decisions.
Believe it or not, I'm not an optimist... Or at least that's not my self concept at all.
poster:Dinah
thread:845465
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20080728/msgs/845581.html