Government is already the domain of the rich, everywhere. A democratic China cannot be more corrupt than China presently, simply because EVENTUALLY, leaders would be held accountable for their actions.
So how come 20 years after ousting Marcos, Philippine politics is still corrupt? How come after nearly 200 years of independence, much of South American politics is still corrupt?
Healthy economics, or at the very least, better than average wealth and information level among a majority of constituents
is a factor in a successful democracy. That is why democracy is such a roaring success in Europe and America.
Mao was not a demogogue, nor was he elected. Why would democracy result in "war and ruination"? These statements need backing up; your logic seems to have a definite hole here.
Hmm... my apologies for being ambiguous. I meant to say that if elections were held today in China, the local "angry youth" will most certainly elect one of their own as leader. And this fella will no doubt be a glib-talking demagogue who is hyper-nationalist and worships Mao but doesn't understand fully the historical background or the current geo-political situation. He would also pander to his bailiwick and get baited into a war that China cannot win. Hence "war and ruination".
This is a myth. Folks of your stripe will never be satisfied. Democracy will create this political awareness by default. Once people figure out that their vote counts, many of them start paying attention.
Let's hope so. Personally me and quite a few of my countrymen have gone from enthusiastic to utterly disgruntled with regards voting. For the past 20 years all of our elected presidents sat with the constant threat of being removed by impeachment, a military coup or a street mob. Seems there always was a dissatisfied faction who prefer to force their will over the rest of the people.
By the way, do you honestly believe that, if China were to hold elections this year, that the Chinese people would elect a Communist? I don't.
They have no sensible other choice. No other party has existed in China for the past half-century.
Assuming the rules were relaxed today:
*
plarq sets up new political party in China.*
*
plarq campaigns*
Chinese peasant: "Who you? Why should I believe what you say?"
*CCP campaigns*
Chinese peasant: "Er.. yeah. You at least I know." *votes CCP*
No, I don't, actually. Scandals, opposing camps, political infighting, gridlock... sounds like a healthy democracy to me. Sounds like America or Europe!
Personally I feel that those are the unwanted baggage that comes with democracy, and hope that a future democratic China can do without them.
As for brawls in the legislature, well, we see those in Japan and South Korea from time to time, but things are going fine there.
I dunno. Don't you find that kind of behavior degrading for people of their stature? What difference do they have with street thugs or macho-aggro teenagers then?
Let me ask you: would you rather live in Taiwan or in China?
Equally. I have an aunt in Taiwan. If I find a good-paying job there why not?
I see that you are really fond of authoritarians. This is a classic Chinese/Confucian position: the "Pandora's box of political change." Ridiculous. There is no such thing as a humane dictatorship on the right or the left. Taiwan today is a functioning democracy. It has freedom of speech, of religion, etc. It is not engulfed in chaos or in "war and ruination."
Perhaps. But we Chinese have already gone through too much hell in the past century or so, both from within and without. We cannot afford any more half-baked experiments. Democratization is the inevitable, ultimate goal. But the foundations better be damn good and prepared well in advance.
If China went democratic, it would be the best thing that could happen for the country.
I wholeheartedly agree. But not just yet.
Chinese people today are not yet ready for democracy.
here, so I'm gonna make this my last post. I will give you the last word and read what you have to say, but I won't reply. I'm sure we will cross paths again. 
