The Rise of China

[Jershaland]

I wonder what would happen if China actually did become a democracy? Would a country with such a large population, nationalism, and authoritarian culture actually be a stable democracy?

I wouldn't classify America as a full democracy and definitely not the best democracy, but it is a democracy with strong freedom of speech protections. To compare it with China is ridiculous.

[Cordel One]

I wouldn't classify America as a full democracy and definitely not the best democracy, but it is a democracy with strong freedom of speech protections. To compare it with China is ridiculous.

America's not really a democracy at all. It's an oligarchy that outsources all the worst parts of supply to the third world countries it strangles and anyone else with sweatshops.

[Sicilian Imperial-Capitalist Empire]

The fact that you guys can't even agree what Sinostatism means from post to post from the same person just goes to show that it's an entirely made up term to make China look like a bigger boogeyman.

Don't underestimate Red China. People underestimated Germany in the 1930's and look what happened. Xi Jinping is a jerk but not an idiot. He is 'quietly' building up his military and biding his time. In 2 weeks, he will have a friend in the Oval Office (or at least a guy who won't hesitate to bend over when it comes to policy with Red China) and he is getting allies in other countries as well (Cambodia is just one example). I will admit he has been a bit more impatient than he should have been but he has used the pandemic to his advantage overall (which I give him credit for-he is clever and should be grudgingly respected for that).

Once Red China completes their goals towards controlling people within the nation (they have made a lot pf progress in this area over the past 5 years-especially with Hong Kong), they will work towards regaining the old Qing Dynasty empire (they have Macao and Hong Kong and will then go for Taiwan and the South China sea 'territory' and then possibly Mongolia.

Do you seriously believe the Democrats are going to sit back and watch China take over the world?

The Democrats and Republicans are both in opposition to the CCP, namely because they are against American interests (not necessarily because of their human rights violations).

[Austria-Bohemia-Hungary]

Do you seriously believe the Democrats are going to sit back and watch China take over the world?

The Democrats and Republicans are both in opposition to the CCP, namely because they are against American interests (not necessarily because of their human rights violations).

It won't matter because at the core this American political establishment, deeply confident in their neoliberal ideas firmly believes that more free trade with PRC will free China, even after 40-50 years of trying it and consistently failing.

[Sicilian Imperial-Capitalist Empire]

Do you seriously believe the Democrats are going to sit back and watch China take over the world?

The Democrats and Republicans are both in opposition to the CCP, namely because they are against American interests (not necessarily because of their human rights violations).

It won't matter because at the core this American political establishment, deeply confident in their neoliberal ideas firmly believes that more free trade with PRC will free China, even after 40-50 years of trying it and consistently failing.

Don't underestimate American interventionism and the military-industrial complex. America is still an interventionist power at heart (much to the detriment of the rest of the world).

[Freiheit Reich]

I wouldn't classify America as a full democracy and definitely not the best democracy, but it is a democracy with strong freedom of speech protections. To compare it with China is ridiculous.

America's not really a democracy at all. It's an oligarchy that outsources all the worst parts of supply to the third world countries it strangles and anyone else with sweatshops.

Good point, I was about to make a similar reply. China is becoming an oligarchy as well and increasing regulations there will make it harder for smaller businesses to operate. Regulations actually help big businesses because it makes it hard for smaller businesses to compete. The internet has sped up this process (just like in the USA). Of course, the big difference is that businesses in China know that they better 'toe the line' and only praise the CCP (unlike some US businesses which seem to think criticizing the government, even the US president, is a good way to win more customers).

Chinese businesses are starting to also exploit resources in Africa (which is fine, the African leaders are happy with this) and outsource production to Vietnam (which is cheaper than Red China). For a 'communist' nation, Red China really behaves like a capitalist at times.

The World's 5 Most Powerful Oligarchies (China is #2 on this list-of course it is the writer's opinion but the article makes good points).

https://www.therichest.com/rich-list/th ... igarchies/

The World's 5 Most Powerful Oligarchies
The age old question has been asked over and over again, who controls the world? The answer is not as complex as many may think. From the times of the ancient empires of yesterday to the geopolitical

BY SUMMER BUESING
AUG 20, 2014




The age old question has been asked over and over again, who controls the world? The answer is not as complex as many may think. From the times of the ancient empires of yesterday to the geopolitical world powers of today, there are powerful elements in our modern society who make every effort to ensure their family, friends, associates and networks of influence will always remain in control. Famous banker and oligarch, Mayer Amschel Rothschild has been quoted many times stating "Let us control the money of a nation, and we care not who makes its laws." Up until now it was always speculation assessing those who were in control. However, with today's scientific analysis it is easier to determine those countries that have fallen from democracy and or republics into tightly controlled oligarchies. In 2011, it was reported that out of 43,000 multi-national corporations, 40% of the wealth rests in the hands of only 147 of those entities who are able to exert their influence over the rest of the business world. These 147 corporations are further controlled by sovereign wealth funds of the elite which serve as vehicles hiding the true ownership as they participate on the geopolitical stage. The term oligarchy is fitting as it describes the type of government where all power is vested in a dominant class or group of individuals i.e. the top one-percent. The following list may surprise you as it appears as if most legitimate forms of government on this earth eventually succumb to oligarchical control.

5
India
Via: planetden.com
India, which holds the title of the "world's largest democracy," has recently come into question about whether or not the country truly is a democracy as it boasts to be. Many believe due to India's elections and the people's right to vote, that they are indeed a democracy. However, according to International Business Times, an increase in awareness of the social issues such as great social inequality, high illiteracy rates and high poverty rates, it appears as if political leaders are not looking out for the people of India. Rather, many political leaders are tied up within corruption scandals that appear to be much larger than that of the political scandals that occur in the United States. Labeling India as an oligarchy has recently come up in the scandal where India's income tax department tapped the phone calls of the popular lobbyist Niira Radia. According to NPR, the recorded telephone conversations revealed how the lobbyist was making deals with politicians, journalists and business tycoons. It provided the prime example of why India can and should be categorized as an oligarchy, due to a small circle of wealthy people being able to control the government.
4
Britain
Via: wikipedia.org
Britain is another country that has taken on the label of becoming an oligarchy. Ferdinand Mount, writes in his book, The New Few: Or a Very British Oligarchy, how income and wages within Britain have become highly unequal and the gap continues to enlarge rather than attempt to close and while the poor have become poorer the rich have become richer. Mount believes that inequality has been able to continue in Britain due to oligarchs. He explains, that while Britain can still maintain its appearance of what he calls a "corroded type of liberal democracy," oligarchs have been having free reign behind the scenes. The greed and power of the oligarchs has been able to provide them protection throughout the decades while at the same time has stripped the power away from the people of Britain and made them feel disconnected from society.
3
Russia
Via: travelsurround.com
Russia's current political system is characterized as a federal presidential republic. Although, it is one country that has a rich history in oligarchy, that many say is still alive and well. According to Business Insider, Russian oligarchs are a product of what was left after the fall of the Soviet Union. State companies had to turn to privatization where Russian banks lent the government money in exchange for temporary stakes in state-owned companies. However, when the government defaulted on their loans, the banks were able keep their stakes, which is where the rich became the elite. As The Fiscal Times reports, currently only 110 people control 35 percent of Russia's household wealth and it has the highest level of wealth inequality in the world. President and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin works among the oligarchs , such as Igor Sechin, the head of the state oil company Rosneft and Gennady N. Timchenko, co-owner of Russia's largest oil trading company, balancing them in order to maintain peace. Many of the present oligarchs have been able to expand their business empires due to their connections with Putin.
2
China
Via: travelgim.com
While China's political system is widely known to be a Communist Party that has ruled over the country since 1949, the country's Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party is made up of members that show China is more of an oligarchy when it comes to the country's political stance. The Politburo meets once a week and makes decisions based on which way they would like to see the country move. However, the committee is made up of China's elite in order to promote capitalism within the country. It includes China's current leader, Xi Jinping, who according to Bloomberg has helped his extended family reach a fortune of $367 million which in part is from shares in a state-owned rare earth company. Li Keqiang also sits on the committee and has made his agenda known to want to increase global capital within the Chinese economy by privatizing the rest of the state enterprises. This type of leadership within the Politburo stands for reason on how China can be classified as an oligarchy.
1
The United States
Via: timesunion.com
The United States was built upon a foundation of republic that was given to it by the Founding Fathers. When Benjamin Franklin was asked what was produced behind the closed doors of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, he responded immediately with "A republic, if you can keep it." A republic holds the definition of "a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law. However, this soon dwindled as the U.S. began to slide into a democracy through an evolution of changing policy, laws and eventually culture. The term democracy can be defined as "government by the people, rule of the majority." Many Americans would like to believe that they still live within a democracy. However, recently the term oligarchy has begun to be used in order to describe who and how the U.S. is led. A recent study titled, Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest Groups and Average Citizens, supported this idea by concluding that elitist business groups have a greater impact on U.S. polices when compared to average citizens. To make matters worse, in 2010 the Supreme Court gave corporations and elitists free reign as they are now allowed to put as much of their money into federal campaigns as they wish. This leaves the United States to be controlled by small group of wealthy citizens while the average citizen's voice remains unheard.

[KIDS Country]

Pro-CCP communists clashing with moderates clashing with those wanting China to be fractured?

Sinostatists are actually usually not really communist. In fact they are closer to fascist than communist just like China itself.

how are they fascist...??

Second, I mean the very fact that Chinese culture, identity & history has been intact since 3000 BCE (not 2200 years, as is the case of Imperial China, but there's the Shang & earlier) should speak volumes regarding the sustainability of said culture.

[KIDS Country]

I wouldn't classify America as a full democracy and definitely not the best democracy, but it is a democracy with strong freedom of speech protections. To compare it with China is ridiculous.

Quite agree, but on other things, such as privacy, I actually believe, as someone who's lived in both nations, both countries invest a similar amount of resources into privacy (China more overtly, US more covertly), but due to the sheer size of China I think privacy is slightly stronger there.

[Austria-Bohemia-Hungary]

I wonder what would happen if China actually did become a democracy? Would a country with such a large population, nationalism, and authoritarian culture actually be a stable democracy?

Probs like Japan where corruption and gerrymandering resulting in an effectively one-party rule for half centuries or more.

[Stellar Colonies]

Sinostatists are actually usually not really communist. In fact they are closer to fascist than communist just like China itself.

how are they fascist...??

Second, I mean the very fact that Chinese culture, identity & history has been intact since 3000 BCE (not 2200 years, as is the case of Imperial China, but there's the Shang & earlier) should speak volumes regarding the sustainability of said culture.

The geography of China encourages the formation of a civilization-state, while the geography of many other parts of the world (Europe is a great example) discourages it.

The culture, identity, and history simply reflect that.

[KIDS Country]

As bad as America is, at least it has to pretend to care about morality. Chinese society by contrast sounds extremely ruthless. I worry having China replace the US as the dominant world power might just make the world an even nastier place than it already is.

I don't know where you're getting this from. Confucian ideals value society, harmony, peace, family, and cohabitation over war. The current gov't is selectively interventionist, but arguably so is the United States so credit there is lost.

[Freiheit Reich]

Don't underestimate Red China. People underestimated Germany in the 1930's and look what happened. Xi Jinping is a jerk but not an idiot. He is 'quietly' building up his military and biding his time. In 2 weeks, he will have a friend in the Oval Office (or at least a guy who won't hesitate to bend over when it comes to policy with Red China) and he is getting allies in other countries as well (Cambodia is just one example). I will admit he has been a bit more impatient than he should have been but he has used the pandemic to his advantage overall (which I give him credit for-he is clever and should be grudgingly respected for that).

Once Red China completes their goals towards controlling people within the nation (they have made a lot pf progress in this area over the past 5 years-especially with Hong Kong), they will work towards regaining the old Qing Dynasty empire (they have Macao and Hong Kong and will then go for Taiwan and the South China sea 'territory' and then possibly Mongolia.

Do you seriously believe the Democrats are going to sit back and watch China take over the world?

The Democrats and Republicans are both in opposition to the CCP, namely because they are against American interests (not necessarily because of their human rights violations).

China will wait for the right time to strike. The USA is getting weaker and Americans are divided. We all know that empires tend to crumble from within and this has been happening to the USA since LBJ took over. Choosing Harris to lead the nation (she will be the real leader, Biden will be a figurehead just like George W. Bush was a figurehead) will see the USA slip even more.

If the CCP invades Taiwan, Biden will be just like Neville Chamberlain was when Germany took over the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia and likely declare that because the CCP is happy with getting Taiwan, it will bring 'peace for our time' while the CCP quietly makes plans for their next invasion. The UN will just wag its finger and scold the CCP without actually doing anything of importance. Perhaps the USA will harshly punish China by making it a bit harder for Chinese tourists to get travel visas while the CCP laughs at the weak response.

[KIDS Country]

The geography of China encourages the formation of a civilization-state, while the geography of many other parts of the world (Europe is a great example) discourages it.

The culture, identity, and history simply reflect that.

Exactly. Which is why I find arguments like "China will die away" or "China will fall & become nonexistent" or "China will disappear" highly unpersuasive b/c they offer no solid evidence against historical establishment.

[Stellar Colonies]

The geography of China encourages the formation of a civilization-state, while the geography of many other parts of the world (Europe is a great example) discourages it.

The culture, identity, and history simply reflect that.

Exactly. Which is why I find arguments like "China will die away" or "China will fall & become nonexistent" or "China will disappear" highly unpersuasive b/c they offer no solid evidence against historical establishment.

Yeah, it's like a hard knot of civilization that sort of just stays there through time.

It may change a lot over time, but it remains.

Someone trying to root it out permanently would have a really difficult time doing so.

[KIDS Country]

Once Red China completes their goals towards controlling people within the nation (they have made a lot pf progress in this area over the past 5 years-especially with Hong Kong), they will work towards regaining the old Qing Dynasty empire (they have Macao and Hong Kong and will then go for Taiwan and the South China sea 'territory' and then possibly Mongolia.

Some issues here:
1. the Qing were Manchu, meaning they're more similar to Mongols than Han Chinese
2. Macao and Hong Kong were European colonies, so by pushing for them to return to European control you're also advocating for colonialism & subjugation in general (so much for being BEACONS OF FREEDOMMMMMM)
3. Taiwan's formal name is the Republic of China
4. Read the South China Sea, slowly, and then again
5. RE: Mongolia, read #1 again
6. Taiwan lays claim to the entire map you provided, including Outer Mongolia. just an fyi.

[Austria-Bohemia-Hungary]

If the CCP invades Taiwan, Biden will be just like Neville Chamberlain was when Germany took over the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia and likely declare that because the CCP is happy with getting Taiwan, it will bring 'peace for our time' while the CCP quietly makes plans for their next invasion. The UN will just wag its finger and scold the CCP without actually doing anything of importance. Perhaps the USA will harshly punish China by making it a bit harder for Chinese tourists to get travel visas while the CCP laughs at the weak response.

This is drunken nonsense motivated by ideological hatred of the Democratic party. Reality is that America would fight PRC over Taiwan, lose and then cede the world to the CPC.

[Freiheit Reich]

It won't matter because at the core this American political establishment, deeply confident in their neoliberal ideas firmly believes that more free trade with PRC will free China, even after 40-50 years of trying it and consistently failing.

Don't underestimate American interventionism and the military-industrial complex. America is still an interventionist power at heart (much to the detriment of the rest of the world).

The USA couldn't even defeat North Vietnam and got their butts kicked hard by the Chinese military in the 1950's in the Korean War (which lacked advanced technology back then-the CCP military is MUCH stronger now). The US military has had a hard time in Iraq and Afghanistan and is actually quite soft. It has plenty of expensive toys but lacks the cajones to actually use them to defeat other nations. The US military WAS tough in the 1940's, but it is too soft now (although I blame leaders for this-I think the soldiers would be tough if they were actually allowed to be).

US intervention ends up costing the US money and lives (as well as killing many in the nations where the US goes and 'plays') without actually gaining the US anything (except for a few big corporations and their political friends of course).

[Sicilian Imperial-Capitalist Empire]

Do you seriously believe the Democrats are going to sit back and watch China take over the world?

The Democrats and Republicans are both in opposition to the CCP, namely because they are against American interests (not necessarily because of their human rights violations).

China will wait for the right time to strike. The USA is getting weaker and Americans are divided. We all know that empires tend to crumble from within and this has been happening to the USA since LBJ took over. Choosing Harris to lead the nation (she will be the real leader, Biden will be a figurehead just like George W. Bush was a figurehead) will see the USA slip even more.

If the CCP invades Taiwan, Biden will be just like Neville Chamberlain was when Germany took over the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia and likely declare that because the CCP is happy with getting Taiwan, it will bring 'peace for our time' while the CCP quietly makes plans for their next invasion. The UN will just wag its finger and scold the CCP without actually doing anything of importance. Perhaps the USA will harshly punish China by making it a bit harder for Chinese tourists to get travel visas while the CCP laughs at the weak response.

Oh look, unsubstantiated nonsense about Biden being like Neville Chamberlain to the CCP. What next, the Democrats are "in cohorts with Xi Jinping?" Utter nonsense.

Don't underestimate American interventionism and the military-industrial complex. America is still an interventionist power at heart (much to the detriment of the rest of the world).

The USA couldn't even defeat North Vietnam and got their butts kicked hard by the Chinese military in the 1950's in the Korean War (which lacked advanced technology back then-the CCP military is MUCH stronger now). The US military has had a hard time in Iraq and Afghanistan and is actually quite soft. It has plenty of expensive toys but lacks the cajones to actually use them to defeat other nations. The US military WAS tough in the 1940's, but it is too soft now (although I blame leaders for this-I think the soldiers would be tough if they were actually allowed to be).

US intervention ends up costing the US money and lives (as well as killing many in the nations where the US goes and 'plays') without actually gaining the US anything (except for a few big corporations and their political friends of course).

That doesn't stop our boneheaded politicians from sending in the troops anyways. You're only proving my point on US interventionism in China.

[Freiheit Reich]

As bad as America is, at least it has to pretend to care about morality. Chinese society by contrast sounds extremely ruthless. I worry having China replace the US as the dominant world power might just make the world an even nastier place than it already is.

I don't know where you're getting this from. Confucian ideals value society, harmony, peace, family, and cohabitation over war. The current gov't is selectively interventionist, but arguably so is the United States so credit there is lost.

You are right to a degree. Chinese people tend to value family and close friendships and appreciate the value of building relationships through mutual cooperation. However, when it comes to people outside their close circle, Chinese people tend to be hardhearted. Look at the powdered milk and recycled oil scandals. There are so many food scandals which shows people will poison other people (including kids) if it makes a few extra yuan for them. Scams are everywhere in China and people are scared to help accident victims because that person might blame the kind person and sue them (and often even win the lawsuit). In China, people will even try to kill a victim if they hit the person because it is cheaper than having to take care of their medical bills if the person lives. The USA has scammers but they are less tolerated and often tend to be punished while in red China, people are numb to scams and often look the other way (unless it gets VERY serious like the milk powder scandal). Many people in China are atheists which means they only worry about maximizing their wealth on Earth and have no worries about being punished after they die. This also makes many of them more hardhearted.

[Freiheit Reich]

If the CCP invades Taiwan, Biden will be just like Neville Chamberlain was when Germany took over the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia and likely declare that because the CCP is happy with getting Taiwan, it will bring 'peace for our time' while the CCP quietly makes plans for their next invasion. The UN will just wag its finger and scold the CCP without actually doing anything of importance. Perhaps the USA will harshly punish China by making it a bit harder for Chinese tourists to get travel visas while the CCP laughs at the weak response.

This is drunken nonsense motivated by ideological hatred of the Democratic party. Reality is that America would fight PRC over Taiwan, lose and then cede the world to the CPC.

I am not saying republicans would be much better. Personally, I am fine with the USA not intervening at all unless attacked (I agree with Ron Paul on this idea) Republicans also failed in the Vietnam War and the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns and their failures were worse than simply staying on the sidelines.

You might be right though, war makes a lot of money for corporations and politicians ('guided' by friendly lobbyists) could not resist the opportunity to fight in the Two China War. I don't think the CCP will win the world. They will either stop at the smart time (once they have east Asian under their control-perhaps with an Iron curtain of friendly allies) or they will be too aggressive and spread themselves too thin and start losing battles (as Germany and Japan did in WWII). Perhaps they will learn from Japan's mistakes and not attack US territories and happily stay within Asia.

[Freiheit Reich]

Once Red China completes their goals towards controlling people within the nation (they have made a lot pf progress in this area over the past 5 years-especially with Hong Kong), they will work towards regaining the old Qing Dynasty empire (they have Macao and Hong Kong and will then go for Taiwan and the South China sea 'territory' and then possibly Mongolia.

Some issues here:
1. the Qing were Manchu, meaning they're more similar to Mongols than Han Chinese
2. Macao and Hong Kong were European colonies, so by pushing for them to return to European control you're also advocating for colonialism & subjugation in general (so much for being BEACONS OF FREEDOMMMMMM)
3. Taiwan's formal name is the Republic of China
4. Read the South China Sea, slowly, and then again
5. RE: Mongolia, read #1 again
6. Taiwan lays claim to the entire map you provided, including Outer Mongolia. just an fyi.

1) Yes, the Qing were Manchus but Han Chinese had Vietnam within their power in the Tang Dynasty (seen as the golden age of Han civilization) and had many very deadly civil wars. Han Chinese can be as warlike with the worst empires.

2) The 50 years promise was that Red China would give Macau and Hong Kong more freedoms than given to people in red China. This is positive for people in these places and we can see many mainlanders also desire this (they are voting with their feet and moving to Macau and Hong Kong if they can afford to). The 50 years promise was a favor to the people in the former colonies by outgoing European powers. It also gives the people there time to move if they desire to live in a place with more freedom and older people would die before the 50 year policy ended. Hong Kong people are not happy the promise was broken (Macau people are more cooperative and sheeplike).

3) I know (I have visited the ROC twice and have some basic knowledge of it). I said 'Taiwan' because Americans often call it that just as I say 'Red China' to emphasize it's govt. is officially 'red' and very dangerous. PRC is a dumb name when they don't even let the people discuss the government openly or vote on issues. Why call it a 'people's govt. when they are so scared of the people'? Many people often say North and South Korea which are not the official names as well.

4) OK. So the fact the sea is called 'South CHINA Sea' means that the PRC can take over 95% of it even several hundred km from its borders? Can the US change the Pacific Ocean to the 'Western USA Sea' to get control of it as well? Look at China's claims. It is both comical and scary the size of the ego the CCP has.



5) The CCP never controlled Taiwan. However, they think Taiwan belongs to them because the Qing Dynasty made Taiwan a part of their empire. Yes, a Ming Dynasty loyalist may have claimed it a part of the Ming Dynasty but that dynasty had already broken up by then. Taiwan first joined the Chinese empire in the Qing Dynasty, not before. However, Mongolia is not so important to the CCP. They would be more likely to make it as an Iron Curtain ally instead which is much easier than adding it to their territory.

6) The ROC may make claims but they are not showing as much aggression. Also, one reason they make these claims is because the PRC does as well. If the PRC was willing to sincerely have a two-China solution and respect ROC independence, I am sure the ROC would accept this after a short debate.

[Sicilian Imperial-Capitalist Empire]

This is drunken nonsense motivated by ideological hatred of the Democratic party. Reality is that America would fight PRC over Taiwan, lose and then cede the world to the CPC.

I am not saying republicans would be much better. Personally, I am fine with the USA not intervening at all unless attacked (I agree with Ron Paul on this idea) Republicans also failed in the Vietnam War and the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns and their failures were worse than simply staying on the sidelines.

You might be right though, war makes a lot of money for corporations and politicians ('guided' by friendly lobbyists) could not resist the opportunity to fight in the Two China War. I don't think the CCP will win the world. They will either stop at the smart time (once they have east Asian under their control-perhaps with an Iron curtain of friendly allies) or they will be too aggressive and spread themselves too thin and start losing battles (as Germany and Japan did in WWII). Perhaps they will learn from Japan's mistakes and not attack US territories and happily stay within Asia.

Or China's bad policies lead to the predictable demographic decline (one child policy) as well as a resource crisis when they run out of clean drinking water (Chinese industrial pollution).

If China continues on the path it's going right now, they will essentially be screwed by 2050.

[Freiheit Reich]

I am not saying republicans would be much better. Personally, I am fine with the USA not intervening at all unless attacked (I agree with Ron Paul on this idea) Republicans also failed in the Vietnam War and the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns and their failures were worse than simply staying on the sidelines.

You might be right though, war makes a lot of money for corporations and politicians ('guided' by friendly lobbyists) could not resist the opportunity to fight in the Two China War. I don't think the CCP will win the world. They will either stop at the smart time (once they have east Asian under their control-perhaps with an Iron curtain of friendly allies) or they will be too aggressive and spread themselves too thin and start losing battles (as Germany and Japan did in WWII). Perhaps they will learn from Japan's mistakes and not attack US territories and happily stay within Asia.

Or China's bad policies lead to the predictable demographic decline (one child policy) as well as a resource crisis when they run out of clean drinking water (Chinese industrial pollution).

If China continues on the path it's going right now, they will essentially be screwed by 2050.

I will give China credit for environmental progress. Even rich people and politicians are affected by dirty air and water and don't want these problems ignored (even the most hardcore CCP fan can't deny air that is so acidic it will make them cough within seconds).

The one child policy has ended and even with a lower birthrate, China will still have over one billion people until long after I am dead and will likely have drone weapons and military robots within a few years. China has and will continue to embrace the power of technology for nefarious purposes.

[Adamede]

...I still can't tell. I'm confused.

Okay, serious time. The best three years of my life was when I was living in China. My only complain was the air quality. And the freezing cold weather, but the government couldn't do anything about the latter. China is great and I can't stress that enough. So yes, of course I'm happy about it's growth to become the next top power to replace the world's bully that is America.

Replace one bully with another.

[Sicilian Imperial-Capitalist Empire]

Or China's bad policies lead to the predictable demographic decline (one child policy) as well as a resource crisis when they run out of clean drinking water (Chinese industrial pollution).

If China continues on the path it's going right now, they will essentially be screwed by 2050.

I will give China credit for environmental progress. Even rich people and politicians are affected by dirty air and water and don't want these problems ignored (even the most hardcore CCP fan can't deny air that is so acidic it will make them cough within seconds).

The one child policy has ended and even with a lower birthrate, China will still have over one billion people until long after I am dead and will likely have drone weapons and military robots within a few years. China has and will continue to embrace the power of technology for nefarious purposes.

The point of talking about China's population growth slowdown is because India is catching up to China, and will have a higher population very soon. Combine that with a looming environmental disaster, and the CCP's global dominance might be cut a bit... short.