Communism / Socialism

[Mark B]

Would we all be better off if we became China's rather than America's Lackey? Although they don't seem to be that much about the little red book anymore.
However, we'd get rid of all that Looney influence and resource industry wars where we end up with nothing anyway.

I always say China would keep us largely Capitalist otherwise who else would buy their crap? I feel the people they fear most are their own citizens. We'd be used to keep them in the factories. A few party representatives would nick some mansions. I'm not sure that would bother me too much.

Would they do a worse job of governing than what we have currently?

Perhaps it's our own systems we should be clearing up before we have a go at communists? Our corruption is clearly everywhere. Yet, we largely turn a blind eye. I'd say if we could get back to the basics of meritocracy in capitalism there would be more to say about it. These days the law is rigged against the clever and able and towards the corrupt and incompetent. In many fields.

I'm pretty sure capitalism has been corrupted so badly that there isn't the opportunity that there should be for the best to rise to the top in any natural fashion.

There is a mindset difference when it comes to US trade and China trade. US trade tends to focus on Win-Win where both parties are ok with the deal. China is a We Win - You Lose mindset where the goal is always to do not only what is best for the Middle Kingdom but what hurts the other nation and makes them subservient.

People are overreaching towards Trump's tariffs but if you look at the US trade imbalances around the world, his actions start to make sense. Take a look at the the differences in the trade imbalances between the UK and the US and UK and China. Is Trump an absolute A-Hole about it, yes, he is. But he isn't wrong when it comes to trade imbalances (He is wrong in some other areas though regarding the UK).

The Chinese want you to put your workers out of work and then force you to buy their products that they will then gain access to your systems. For example, just today it was announced that the Royal Navy K3 Scout surveillance drones were transmitting routine information back to China.

The Chinese also punish people who don't tow the government line. They put one of their highest profile billionaires (Jack Ma) in timeout for daring to talk against the government. And if you get a chance to visit them, they have some friendly minders who follow you during your trip. The Chinese cannot even admit how many people they have (They really have somewhere between 700-800 million).

As the good Mr. Churchill once said, "Capitalism is the worst economic system, except for all the others." Does it have its issues? Absolutely. Does it still work better then anywhere else? Absolutely. There is a reason why millions of people are trying to get into the US and UK every year and not a lot of people are rushing off the China.

 

[ASCPFC]

There is a mindset difference when it comes to US trade and China trade. US trade tends to focus on Win-Win where both parties are ok with the deal. China is a We Win - You Lose mindset where the goal is always to do not only what is best for the Middle Kingdom but what hurts the other nation and makes them subservient.

People are overreaching towards Trump's tariffs but if you look at the US trade imbalances around the world, his actions start to make sense. Take a look at the the differences in the trade imbalances between the UK and the US and UK and China. Is Trump an absolute A-Hole about it, yes, he is. But he isn't wrong when it comes to trade imbalances (He is wrong in some other areas though regarding the UK).

The Chinese want you to put your workers out of work and then force you to buy their products that they will then gain access to your systems. For example, just today it was announced that the Royal Navy K3 Scout surveillance drones were transmitting routine information back to China.

The Chinese also punish people who don't tow the government line. They put one of their highest profile billionaires (Jack Ma) in timeout for daring to talk against the government. And if you get a chance to visit them, they have some friendly minders who follow you during your trip. The Chinese cannot even admit how many people they have (They really have somewhere between 700-800 million).

As the good Mr. Churchill once said, "Capitalism is the worst economic system, except for all the others." Does it have its issues? Absolutely. Does it still work better then anywhere else? Absolutely. There is a reason why millions of people are trying to get into the US and UK every year and not a lot of people are rushing off the China.

It's always being pointed out that China's our enemy. They do this, they do that etc. Some of it even seems true.
However, how am I supposed to take that seriously when we have loads of people in prison for speech crime? We buy all of their rubbish endlessly - hence, by the way, they transmit information so our military even buy from them? We give them planning permission for a mega embassy which will likely include loads of intelligence gathering?
Frankly, we're clearly being played. I believe property is the most expensive in certain Chinese cities now. Above London and Paris, New York etc. Seems relatively desirable for some reason. The minders have long gone.

 

[Mark B]

It's always being pointed out that China's our enemy. They do this, they do that etc. Some of it even seems true.
However, how am I supposed to take that seriously when we have loads of people in prison for speech crime? We buy all of their rubbish endlessly - hence, by the way, they transmit information so our military even buy from them? We give them planning permission for a mega embassy which will likely include loads of intelligence gathering?
Frankly, we're clearly being played. I believe property is the most expensive in certain Chinese cities now. Above London and Paris, New York etc. Seems relatively desirable for some reason. The minders have long gone.

I'm not a fan of the word enemy personally, the only time someone is an enemy is when the bullets are getting ready to fly or are already flying. I prefer the term competitor as we are in economic and military competition with them right now, below armed conflict.

That is a unique aspect to the UK that I'm less familiar with. I know what I read about speech crimes but my personal experience and knowledge of countries where I lived doesn't give me the background to have an informed opinion of your lack of Freedom of Speech.

I think the issue in the case of the Royal Navy is that a subcontractor bought some Chinese stuff and pretended it was made somewhere else.

Yes, correct, their new embassy is all about spying on you. So are a significant number of members of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association who are currently at 90 different college branches in the UK.

Real Estate in China is a fascinating subject to study as it has been one the pillars of their economy for decades. The short of it is, their entire real estate system has been a ponzi scheme for years and now the bill is coming due as a significant portion of their workforce is retiring. It's bad, but it is going to get worse.

Most Expensive Global Markets (Per Square Foot)
Monaco: ~$5,250 per sq ft
Hong Kong: ~$3,720 per sq ft
New York City: ~$2,610 per sq ft
Geneva: ~$2,460 per sq ft
Tokyo: ~$2,330 per sq ft

I have a simply way of measuring countries, how easy it for you to leave. Can you pack up and leave without issue? Do you have to pay a huge fine to leave? Or are you barred from leaving. Countries that let you go are doing fine, those that force you to stay are usually not where you to want to live.

 

[McAhuna]

Would we all be better off if we became China's rather than America's Lackey? Although they don't seem to be that much about the little red book anymore.
However, we'd get rid of all that Looney influence and resource industry wars where we end up with nothing anyway.

I always say China would keep us largely Capitalist otherwise who else would buy their crap? I feel the people they fear most are their own citizens. We'd be used to keep them in the factories. A few party representatives would nick some mansions. I'm not sure that would bother me too much.

Would they do a worse job of governing than what we have currently?

Perhaps it's our own systems we should be clearing up before we have a go at communists? Our corruption is clearly everywhere. Yet, we largely turn a blind eye. I'd say if we could get back to the basics of meritocracy in capitalism there would be more to say about it. These days the law is rigged against the clever and able and towards the corrupt and incompetent. In many fields.

I'm pretty sure capitalism has been corrupted so badly that there isn't the opportunity that there should be for the best to rise to the top in any natural fashion.

China is not impartial to a pointless war to flex its muscles. Tibet was one victim, and they constantly threaten to make Taiwan another.

You are right about our system, but I am not convinced they are any better.