Authoritarianism’s Enduring Appeal: Anne Applebaum Discusses

[@amelsev]

Excellent conversation - thank you.

[@Anubis-hm7ro]

Thank you

[@briancase6180]

Wow, I would expect Ian to have at least a slightly more nuanced view of China's chances of growing to become the largest economy. The Chinese economy is showing no signs of gaining that status. First, the size of the Chinese economy is already dramatically over-estimated by China itself. If you simply believe their GDP claims, you clearly aren't very sophisticated. Second, the CCP is clamping down, and Xi is doing that specifically. If he continues, the ability of the Chinese economy to grow will cease. Already, foreign companies are competing to be the first to disconnect the most. Those who just presume that China must grow to be bigger than the US are ignoring reality. Just the demographic situation BY ITSELF is probably enough to ensure China will falter and fail.

[@zongora123]

Ian and Anne are speaking about the demos(cracy) and the moral system. I do wonder how can this two highly educated people can omit of the presence of the Oumma, a system within democratic nation states taking over moral, territory, destroying social cohésion and moral standards ... she is just referring to economics. This is why she is missing the point and I guess this is intentional (avoiding to speak about globalisation (rule of law) that destroys soverigntiy (rule by law). Interesting discussion, but missing the human dimension ! Technocracy cannot take over soverignity of individuals (ie mRNA vaccins) and nations (replacing culture and people)