We are near the 24th anniversary of June 4th student movement in 1989, and I almost feels that it happened yesterday.
It is the event defines my generation for our youth. When thinking about the future of China today, I still have a lot of reflections from thinking about June 4th.
There were many social drivers for the event in 1989. The country just begun a trajectory for dramatic improvement of living standard and productivity at the time; there were a lot of hope for better life in the future. What also begun at the time was the recognition of the unfair system associated with the one party system and the authoritarian state. Government corruption became a big concern, especially among students who began to compare China with other democratic societies that seemed to promote fairness and freedom for basic rights.
China has changed much since 1989. The Economist this morning reported that the country pulled 680 million people out of extreme poverty, and reduced its rate from 84% in 1980 to 10% now, accounted for three quarters of the world wide achievement over the period. Obviously a proud accomplishment for the Chinese people and the government.
Government corruption is still the focus of the Chinese microblogs today. The new Chinese government led by Xi also identified corruption control as the key for its long-term party’s ruling. The only difference on corruption from 1989 is that now it is everywhere. China’s last premier was reported with family wealth exceeded billion dollars. Environment pollution has reached the hazardous level that people dare the government officials to drink the water they regulate. Inequality has created new poverty issue that was different from when 80% people were poor versus many felt being leave behind by the system today.
Is this the time for Asian Spring?
In 1989, as a student, freedom and democracy were something to die for.
Today, I think democracy is a tool for better society. Democracy, by itself, is not a goal for a revolution to throw a government away.
The recent changes in Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria all told a lesson that the most important government function is to establish order. There could be far more damage come from lack of governance than from government corruption. Not having drinking water is very difference from having corrupted officials take money from water distribution, as untolerable as it sounds.
We all have experience when strong leaders are need to set direction and make decision for everyone to follow. That actually happens in businesses everywhere. Very few companies run on a democratic system, even though many employee may feel unfair treatment. We work in these entities because we agree that they align with our best interests.
There are also decisions and choices should only be made through a democratic process. We don't want any one individual to decide on gun rights or gay rights.
Comparing all government systems we have experienced collectively as a specie, democratic systems seem to yield the better outcome to minimize corruption, which is an inevitable byproduct from every power structure.
Is China ready for a democratic system today?
