Sometimes I wonder whether human beings have the capacity to look beyond their own comfort and self interest when evaluating their own governments. It seems that much of the citizens’ action we see today (read: Teaparty Movement) has to do with people’s anger at feeling like they are not getting what they deserve from society or that someone else is getting somethign they don’t deserve. “Lower my taxes!” “Don’t cut my Medicare.” “Rebuild my roads!” “Educate my kids!” “Kick those immigrants out!” And, finally, “Lower the deficit!”
I think capitalist democracy depends on an educated populace that, in general, recognizes the tradeoffs inherent in sound economic policy. It also helps of the population has some kind of social conscience that will prevent gross inequity from taking hold. I fear that large numbers of Americans, maybe even a majority of the voting population, lacks either of these qualities. Combine that with a dysfunctional Congress (read: U.S. Senate) and the future looks bleak.
But there may be another way and China is, I think, testing the proposition. Maybe if you concentrate solely on generating economic growth and ignore the luxuries of democratic governance or government provided social programs, you can create a functioning society. Maybe the best way to maintain social peace is a free market economy, with a tightly controlled political system.
In today’s Financial Times, there is a story about economic growth in Tibet. The Chinese government is focusing heavily on making sure the economy is robust in this tumultuous region, while maintaining strict control over political activity there.
Nearly two years after Tibetan regions of China were engulfed in riots and protests, Beijing is doubling its bet that rapid economic development will win the political loyalty of its Tibetan population.
This will be an interesting experiment. Let’s check back in two years and see if the Tibetan resistance to Chinese political control subsides as the population begins to enjoy the fruits of a strong economy.
Maybe James Carville was more right than he knew when he said, “It’s the economy, stupid.”
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