Could someone plz explain wtf is going on in China

[Ron Burgundy]

I know they have some weird concoction of communism and capitalism. But how does it work? Obv there isn't a whole lot of govt regulation for manufacturing.

The govt spends so much resources censoring the media and internets, but doesn't care if factories use lead paint or poisonous wheat gluten.

I also don't understand our foreign policy with them. I know we borrow a crapload of money from them, that's about it.

On a related note, why is our foreign policy with Cuba so much different? If free trade and economic prosperity is the key to defeating communism in China, why wouldn't that work in Cuba? Is it just because politicians won't risk pissing of all the Cubans in FL, because FL is such an important state in the elections?

[Misfire]

Not sure, but I think what's going on in China is some form of fascism.

Cuba policy is just idiocy.

[BlueBear]

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On a related note, why is our foreign policy with Cuba so much different?

[/ QUOTE ]

China is a very important (or the most important) economic partner for the U.S. and other Western nations. Initially, when the communist government took over China, most nations did not formally recognize their government. When China became more important economically, this all changed.

Today, Western nations treat China so well despite all the reported human right abuses and labor mistreatment because they simply need to and can't risk offending them.

[Copernicus]

[ QUOTE ]
I know they have some weird concoction of communism and capitalism. But how does it work? Obv there isn't a whole lot of govt regulation for manufacturing.

The govt spends so much resources censoring the media and internets, but doesn't care if factories use lead paint or poisonous wheat gluten.

I also don't understand our foreign policy with them. I know we borrow a crapload of money from them, that's about it.

On a related note, why is our foreign policy with Cuba so much different? If free trade and economic prosperity is the key to defeating communism in China, why wouldn't that work in Cuba? Is it just because politicians won't risk pissing of all the Cubans in FL, because FL is such an important state in the elections?

[/ QUOTE ]

As you note, China can't be categorized easily. Certainly the government is authoritarian, but beyond that it is in a state of flux. There are also significant internal divides over between the tradtional Communist philosophies and the new breed of entrepeneurs. There may well be parallels to be found with Japans transition.

As far as Cuba goes, I don't think it has much if anything to do with the FL Cuban population. The policy is more an anachronism and remnant of the Cold War. Cuba isn't big enough to be important to the US economically, and temporarily at least their proximity to the US isn't a military threat to the US. On the other hand Castro is the poster boy for Latin American revolutionaries, and any sort of official recognition of Cuba will be seen as a victory for Castro, which will embolden and give more credibility to South American regimes that would love a PR victory over the US. It will take the death of Castro for any overtures toward Cuba to be made.

[Phil153]

The fascists are very much in control; the control of various entrepreneurs is just a crackdown away. It would take a lot of optimism to think the market will overpower communism any time soon.

As for understanding China...you have to start with the understanding that the Chinese government has a fundamentally nationalist ideology with almost unbreakable government power. They see China as having a rightful place as the technical, political and cultural leader of the world, as it has been for most of history, and want to become that superpower again. This is the only reason they've opened up their economy - because they're well aware that giving some freedom to capital is the only way to become a supremely powerful economy. To that end, they don't care if they break international laws, lead goes in paint, and so on - as long as it's not damaging to the economy or majorly damaging to reputation, they'll do it and encourage it or turn a blind eye. This makes them very dangerous to both the region and an irresponsible world citizen. I honestly think they represent the greatest threat to world peace the world will face in the next 30 years.

As far as US foreign policy goes, China is simply too useful economically to shut off. And with the economy becoming increasingly global, it would probably be a dangerous move to take for both the US economy and US power, at least in the short term.

[BigPoppa]

Cuban policy is hostage to politically powerful exiles in South Florida. As long as it's a swing state, Presidents will be too chickenshit to do anything about it.

We even normalized relations with [censored] Vietnam, but we don't do it with Cuba.

[MidGe]

No, Cuba has managed to inflict losses (Bay of pigs, etc.) on the USA. The USA is now to much of a mouse towards Cuba to confront them directly. Like spoiled children who loose a game, they are just taking their ball away. This way the won't be subject to the possibility of another dishonorable failure!

[Ron Burgundy]

So the Cuba policy is basically:

1. Sit around and wait for Castro to die
2. ?????
3. Profit!

Why will it be any different when Castro dies? Won't he just appoint his son to do exactly the same things he did?

[lehighguy]

China = Facism

[boracay]

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China = Facism

[/ QUOTE ]

Not really. Fascism is virulently anti-communist.