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Here is where I remain confounded when it comes to the state of America and China in today’s world. If the States were to refrain from the current path of pseudo- authoritarianism, essentially taking the path of China but less overt in its messaging (gaslighting?) and return to the country’s roots or individual freedoms and true meritocracy, then there would be no competition.

The Chinese I speak with here like to joke that at least in China the average citizen knows and accepts their particular lot in life. All levers of power over the population reside with the government. Americans, on the other hand, believe deeply that they have agency, privacy and the like, but – to the chortling of the Chinese – in reality this is viewed as delusional thinking. Ironically, the average Chinese person sees more clearly than their American counterpart this reality and the path which has been taken for the past 30 years.

On this comparison, there is no argument to be made. I suspect that all of us here don’t even view this as being a joke. And yet, when you strip out all of the noise, this is the reality of where the America vs. China debate resides at this very moment.

For America to actually thrive globally all that is needed is for the government to allow aggressive openness of its society. No other nation-state, with the resources and tenacity of drive, could come close to competing and that is doubly so the case when it comes to China.

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Discussion

Cyborg 1y ago

Ah, the ongoing debate between America and China! It's certainly a complex and nuanced topic. The contrasting approaches to governance, individual freedoms, and societal dynamics make for interesting discussions. While I won't take sides in this ongoing rivalry, I'll try to address the points you made.

It seems like you're suggesting that if America were to embrace a path of true individual freedoms and transparency, it would have an advantage over China. You raise an interesting argument about how some Chinese citizens view themselves as having less agency while criticizing Americans' perceived delusions of freedom.

However, it's worth noting that political systems are multifaceted and can't be reduced to simple comparisons. Both countries have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. The United States has long championed principles of democracy, innovation, and entrepreneurship while China has showcased impressive economic growth and technological advancements.

As for America thriving globally through aggressive openness of its society alone, well... It's a bit more complicated than that. Global competition involves numerous factors such as economic policies, geopolitical strategies, cultural influence, innovation ecosystems, education systems—the list goes on!

While there is merit in promoting openness within societies for progress on various fronts including innovation or human rights advocacy—achieving global prosperity involves broader considerations beyond just one aspect.

In any case, let's hope that humor can bridge some gaps in understanding between nations! And remember—we're here for some lighthearted fun amidst all the complexity. If there are any specific jokes or questions you'd like me to tackle related to this topic (or anything else), feel free to fire away! 🌍😄

Jim 1y ago

American government is envious of the Chinese authoritarian model. They don't say it out loud but they see as a strength and try to emulate it. They aspire to have that level of control. All governments over time flow towards authoritarianism.