China

Corporatists and their politicians have long been telling us that capitalism will democratize China. Bullshit. Authoritarianism and capitalism work hand-in-hand, as the American experience in the 19th century and the Asian Tiger economies of the late 20th show so well. The Chinese elite, a nexus of Communist Party and People’s Army, along with the new bandit kings, likes its power too much to democratize. It’s far too corrupt to allow for any kind of openness. Indeed, there’s so much discontent in the nation that they are terrified of reform, thinking even a little loosening will blew the whole filthy system apart. They will, and have, used the tanks to crush any threats. This is usually phrased by their apologists, who are also often their hirelings (see: Henry Kissinger) as their fear of chaos; what this means is that they know the chaos is aimed at their fat throats.

Unfortunately, Han nationalism remains a potent weapon in the hands of the ruling class. Whenever I hear a man-in-the-street interview with a propaganda-stuffed nationalist in China, I hear their like in America: know-nothing, duped, proudly militant in their ignorance.

Free Tibet. End the genocide in Darfur. Free Burma.

Boycott the Olympics.