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Are the UK and China Authoritarian? (programming.dev)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml
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I've often heard that China is authoritarian, particularly due to events like the suppression of student protests in Hong Kong. However, I'm curious about more recent examples. Conversely, I've been hearing about the UK's Online Safety Act being used to target Wikipedia editors and silence protests, which raises questions about authoritarian tendencies there as well. What specific examples do you have that demonstrate whether these countries are authoritarian or not?

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[–] -4 points 1 year ago (18 children)

Do you still disappear if you are against the only (!) party in China? Do they still go after Chinese people outside(!) of China with police-like forces?

Does every country have some points that could be considered authoritarian? Sure, but let's not act as if the UK is anywhere near China on that scale.

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  • [–] 14 points 1 year ago (4 children)

    There are 8 other political parties beyond the CPC in China. They don't compete with the CPC, but cooperate, and exert their own interests. Over 90% of Chinese citizens support their government. The extent to which the average Chinese citizen can affect policy is greater than that of the average UK citizen, because democracy is more than just picking a party, but having the ability to pick and choose policy.

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  • [–] -1 points 1 year ago* (3 children)

    I don't think that number is surprising. Living in China e.g. 40 years ago would have sucked, so as mentioned in the article you posted, living conditions have basically continuously improved for people. I expect that number will drop in the upcoming decades (although IDK to what extent). It's worth noting the studies were basically pre-COVID.

    Also, pointing out that China has other political parties is worthless since they basically can't do anything.

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  • [–] 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    What gives you the impression that those satisfied with the government will drop, in the PRC?

    As for pointing out that China has 1 main party and 8 smaller, more focused parties, I point it out because democracy doesn't need to look like a bunch of groups battling it out. Society can be run in a more cooperative manner. In the PRC, the minor parties are focused on specialized areas, and some parties even hold seats in the NPC.

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  • [–] -3 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    Cooperative? Mate, they simply put everyone who disagrees too much away. Having a choice is battling it out, having no choice to begin with is cooperation. How can we twist reality some more?

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  • [–] 6 points 1 year ago

    Why on Earth does democracy have to take the form of competition? Discussion and direction can be cooperative, you've done this hundreds of times in your life without needing to take an antagonistic stance.

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  • [–] [S] 10 points 1 year ago* (12 children)

    But I'm asking about real examples not made up ones. And if you are referring to secret services all countries have those.

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  • [–] -1 points 1 year ago (10 children)

    What do you mean, made up....? Are you even serious? Example for police in other countries Example for disappearing people

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  • [–] [S] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (6 children)

    And of course you send me the article from a paper that's the mouthpiece of some US billionaire. Would you take it seriously if a chinese paper said the US 'secret police' is disappearing people? They are going to paint the worse possible picture since they are rivals.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago* (3 children)

    It takes 0 effort to find other sources if you actually try to look this sort of stuff up. I feel like you've basically decided the answer and are just looking for people to validate your opinion.

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  • [–] [S] 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    I may have my mind made up, but I could change it if people said something more easily verified, like the kind of police brutality that happens in US, instead of people disappearing like the chinese has ufos contracted, that just sounds like conspiracy theories made up by the americans.

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  • [–] -2 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    I find it sort of amusing that your example for the UK is the Online Safety Act given that China has the GFW. Like, I find the Online Safety Act problematic (along with a number of other things the UK has done), but the scale is barely even comparable lol.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (2 children)

    Hahaha you cited the NYT and the Guardian. Awesome sources. Your billionaire-owned β€œsources” mean nothing here.

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