At 09:58 AM 7/16/01 +1000 Russell Chapman wrote:
>I wonder if anything can be achieved by ostracising China? If we deny them
the
>games, are they really likely to start reconsidering their position? Will
they
>suddenly free Tibet because we say we don't like their attitude, or will they
>just close their borders more and restrict their citizens more to protect the
>status quo? Their significance to the economy of the US and other G7 nations
>means no real sanctions will ever occur, and they know it.
The on thing that is achieved is to *not* give them what they want. In
general, when a regime is as evil as China's, you tend not to give them
what they want, unless it benefits you to do so. Additionally, the Chinese
regime has made no bones about the fact that they view winning the Olympics
as means to legitimize themselves on the world stage. As it is, the IOC
passed over a technically superior bid, as well as the long-standing Asia -
Europe - Americas rotation in screwing Toronto to award the games to
Beijing.
The question, however, is what to do about China in the future? As I see
it, there have been a couple great rounds of democratic success stories in
the post-WWII era, that fall into two broad categories:
1) Occupation: West Germany, Japan
2) Developmental Change: South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Chile, Brazil,
Argentina, Poland, Czech Rep., Hungary
It would be interesting to compare the factors that contributed to each
case, and determine what fueled the democratic change in each case - and
try and determine how those lessons can be applied to places like Africa
and China.
>My fervent hope is that the sheer volume of overseas visitors, the intense
>scrutiny, the influx of the world's press, and their prominent position on
the
>world stage will bring about real change for the citizens of China (sadly, I
>hold less hope for the citizens of Tibet).
I agree, I hope we hold the threat of a boycott like a sword over their
heads for the next seven years.
JDG
__________________________________________________________
John D. Giorgis - [EMAIL PROTECTED] - ICQ #3527685
We are products of the same history, reaching from Jerusalem and
Athens to Warsaw and Washington. We share more than an alliance.
We share a civilization. - George W. Bush, Warsaw, 06/15/01
