Well

[johnny9fingers]

For a contemporary example of how a formerly civilised polity can devolve into civil war, we only have to look to Hong Kong. However, in Hong Kong’s case, the externalities the polity face are rather more apparent. China has decided, rather stupidly I think, to junk the notional self-determination of the former enclave. Ye gods, empires have always needed their free ports and access to other forms of governance. We all need our political formicarium, wherein we can examine the data presented.

I had thought the Chinese to be the brightest and most intelligent of all the major polities. Now I am not so sure. When we look at the bizarre, gradual-and-step evolution of history we can all see the general direction we are headed, barring accidents.

Comments

[garote]

Wait, you were expecting something different from an absolutely massive, barely policed, entirely self-interested bureaucracy, that controls its subjects with intimidation, censorship, and appeals to national pride?

[johnny9fingers]

Only slightly different; I expected the Chinese to be clever about things. Monolithic, bureaucratic, and with a tendency to intimidation and censorship. But clever.

However...

[tcpip]

> I had thought the Chinese to be the brightest and most intelligent of all the major polities.

They were certainly engaging in a perceptive and long-term strategy, which combined a totalitarian state with market economics, new wealth without new freedoms.

But there was an a potential weakness with Hong Kong. People who had a long experience of British-style liberalism, warts and all, would not make the transition and integration easy. Especially not after they had a (brief) taste of democratic elections in the 90s.

[johnny9fingers]

Well, the Hong Kong Chinese folk can see how well British-style libertarianism is working around the world ATM.

I’d almost be inclined to see it as a language problem excepting that other language groups appear to be affected as well. It appears to be the case that a good part of the world has discovered the benefits of extreme political polarisation. No doubt many polities will discover the benefits of civil war. How wonderful. I wonder what new benefits we can discover?

[tcpip]

I suspect there will be no benefits at all, except for a small group of people who have invested for such an outcome.