zoochee
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By elections we choose - and DISPOSE - of our ruling elites.
This is exactly the democratic illusion I am talking about. Ever since the Supreme Court's decision to apply first amendment to corporate entity as special citizen thus allowing it to provide campaign contribution just like individual citizen and the creation of lobbyists and special interest group. The system no longer represent the demos as in a healthy democratic system but rather the powerful and resourceful minority as the corporations and the top 2% richest Americans. Even today the famous or the infamous Bush tax break is still in place. In US only the congress is directly (at least compared to other branches) from the people. Both Senators and Supreme Court are highly bipartisan and elected and appointed within. Even the elected president has to be reviewed and approved by the Supreme Court. This elaborative checks and balances can be seen as a way to control power but also an effective way to make sure non 3rd party can seriously threaten the managed bipartisan democracy.
The press is so tightly controlled and high-ranking Party members' lives are so private, how would you find out otherwise?
US press and media deserve a completely separate discussion. One thing I agree with you is that US press is way more sophisticated in propaganda than their Chinese counterparts. They managed to be seen as open and neutral while at the same time controls public opinion better than the Chinese system. I can actually argue there are actually more different voices in China than US. US press managed to distract the populars with insignificant events as same sex marriage, stem cell research, and murder case trial while ignoring the key underlying issues in the society.
The "American Dream" usually means owning one's own home, not the assumption of supreme power.
Thats true but I guess I am referring to the more grandiose side of the American Dream which is sold on the international market - "Land of opportunities" "Be all what you can be". Anyway if that is not what you understand but rather having a house and car and get rich quick maybe then that's even worse as it promotes complacency not greatness, political withdraw than active citizenry.
Let's say I'm open-minded on the question. I figure I'll know more after China suffers through a recession - something China's current leaders have striven to avoid since 1989.
I agree with you on this one; it will be especially tough for the new generation Chinese since they never experience recession or even slowed growth. But this is a not a unique challenge for a one party republic, just think about pre-Nazi Germany (a weak democracy with severe economic downturn and strong nationalism sentiment). Actually I am more interested to see how a democracy can deal with the severe budget problem as is happening in US today. Democracy is traditionally very good at expanding expenditure since its good to bring benefit to your electoral supporters, but rather difficult to reduce spending since who ever does that first has to spend significant political dollars and their political future.