this post was submitted on 02 Sep 2025
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Fun fact: It's actually possible for two countries to both be authoritarian!
"Authoritarian" is largely a meaningless term. All it really means is one group using force against another group, but it doesn't say anything about which group is which. In the US Empire, the capitalists use the state to crush the workers, and export genocide and chaos to the global south. In the PRC, the working class uses the state to keep the capitalists in check as they progress and develop along socialist lines. This stark difference in which class is in power is shown with immense popular support in the PRC:
Okay, but we are talking about a country where you aren't allowed to form a political party that opposes the CCP, right? How can we tell the difference between "hell yeah, my country is making my life great" and "there is exactly one answer to this survey question that will not get me in trouble"? I always try to keep in mind that I am not immune to propaganda, but I've personally known Chinese people who have very explicitly declined to offer any criticism of the Chinese government or go against the party line, even in private conversation, because they didn't want trouble.
They refuse to offer criticism to you, they will criticize the CCP constantly amongst themselves. They've sadly learned right or wrong that westerners are always trying to make China look bad. It's largely from western news like BBC. Just look up the phrase China, but at what cost. The most hilarious one I read was China is curing cancer fast, but at what cost.
I'm in awe of your ability to read minds, because that was not at all the vibe I got when I was actually in that conversation.
Of course not? If they gave you that impression then you would pry. As I said, it's pretty universal at this point. No mind reading needed. The fact that you were trying to do exactly what they're trying to avoid is hilarious to me.