For fear that this will be off-gold topic and soon moderated ... my one attempt at being philosophical about China and other cultures in relation to the economic wars that are continually raging.
It is purely an economic basis under which every war is waged. The strength of a nation is measured by its treasury, then by its military. War cannot be sustained without ongoing solid financing.
The tag "Communism" invokes the same level of distaste in conversation as does "Marxism", "socialism" - these 'isms' are modern terms to promote labels and divide. This is modern language applied to foreign cultures. 'Anarchism' despite the label is exercising individual freedom - and is readily visible in the actions of corporations and politicians.
There is a reaction in anyone/society/culture to a poorly fitting label applied without consent from the self-righteous. Many if not everyone is guilty of it - except for maybe the Dalai Lama. Sticks and stones and all that ... jealousy is a curse etc
A provocateur applies labels to marginalise and elicit conflict. If intelligence can transcend this churlish name-calling, then perhaps the raw underlying cultural traits can return that is more indicative of a natural humanity. Unless we are borne to be gladiators and conquerors to the death. Provocation remains an underlying economic weapon to elicit justification that begets to someone a victory and the spoils of war.
In any case, if it remains China's destiny as in the many previous dynasties to rule by dictatorship (under whatever label) and censorship - then they have pulled it off so far. It's 2012 and they still have command over the largest population in the 3rd largest land mass. Managing the single largest population is not without it's difficulties and might be a direct result of not having a democracy. Who knows. But to have done this over hundreds/thousands of years is more than what many other cultures could have achieved.
Granted - if China disintegrates, the tsunami will be cataclysmic and a new era will commence.
All they have to do now is manage global economics by learning from the stupidity of history as provided by the trials and tribulations of western counterparts. In these modern times, to keep treating them as weaker adversaries is to overestimate your own capacity and underestimate theirs. I see even the good US has publically said the Chinese are not in a currency war. A backflip - how cute.
Same for Muslims, Islams, Christians and every other class of race and religion. If it is within them to attempt confrontation and attempt to expand their empires then lets deal with it. But all I am hearing is the pre-emptive military will of the US as judge, jury and executioner. The US Department of Defence does not speak on my behalf.
If I was China I'd be vocal on these matters also having gained some economic leverage so far. Japan understood what they were walking into during WW2 and lost.
Divide and conquer is beyond boring - the real challenge still remains how to integrate.
After all it is the 21st century. Evolution does not have a timeline. I think the climax is yet to come when pride comes before the final fall.
Much economic jockeying and gamesmanship is yet to be bestowed on us hapless mortals for years to come. Whoever is awake to it and better prepared will share the spoils. For the time being, China is having its voice heard among the noise of US political will. But everyone is entitled to.
It won't go away anytime soon. Coffee break is over.
