This is urgent — you will all want to see this. (Well, “hear it,” actually.)
Just go here, where there is an entire special program on change in China called “Reversing the Revolution.” Be sure to click the link “Urban Poor.” Despite the poverty and misery, many of them are quite grateful for their lot. That tells us much about how things were before.
Actually, click all the links. They are all good. While it basically sheds a good light on the government, it doesn’t touch on the issues of freedom, rule of law, censorship and corruption. But there’s no denying the benefits of economic reform since Mao’s death.
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By Kaiser
Great link! It doesn’t, as you say, touch on issues of freedom, rule of law, censorship (well sort of, with the peasant-cum-radio-broadcaster) and corruption, there’s a reason for that: Except for the last, these things aren’t what 99% of Chinese spend their time really thinking about. This is a good cross-section of the population today, though they should also have included a rep of the destitute peasantry and perhaps someone from a township enterprise. What are they thinking about? Levels three and four of Maszlo’s hierarchy of needs: food, clothing and shelter having been taken care of, they’re on to basic amenities and entertainment. (Okay, I’m guessing that’s what’s on levels three and four).
March 4, 2004 @ 3:37 pm | Comment
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By Kaiser
Of course, there aren’t so many English-speaking destitute peasants…
March 4, 2004 @ 3:43 pm | Comment
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By richard
Kaiser, according to an interesting articlein today’s Los Angeles Times (I’ll try to post about it later) corruption and the plight of migrant workers and other such issues are high on the minds of a lot of Chinese people.
Still, I wasn’t faulting the reporter for not focusing on those things; her story had a specific theme, which was how China today is rolling back “Mao-enomics,” and corruption and blackmail of peasants, etc., aren’t at the heart of that story. My observation was to get across that there has been incredible progress in some areas, and others where where there’s still a long way to go.
Callers’ most pressing concerns include corruption, the plight of migrant workers, China’s energy crisis, political reform, burdensome business regulations and the need to protect private property and stem bankruptcies.
March 4, 2004 @ 8:15 pm | Comment