Transition, Transformation and Radical Thinking.
The last few months have been momentous for Asia Watchers. The economist run a article in which they asked if China had lost its conscience. The piece was written in reference to Liu Xia Bo or LXB as he came to be know on social media. China and it's citizens and those who follow the scene in a heavily restrictive environment had created a set of initials to get past the world's most stable and impenetrable firewall.
This was done after the state chose to restrict coverage of the controversial Nobel prize winner especially after his illness became , known. This activist and social commenter had become a thorn in the flesh for the ruling class with his calls to end one party rule. As is often the case, the the rebel became a darling of the west while managing to alienate himself in the site of his own leadership.
In the meantime, another promising political voice Bo Xi Lai (BXL) presents an extreme on the other end of the spectrum for a country that needs to find its conscience. He was a party insider who Father was once part of a core group. He grew up in the system and was even seen by some to be readying for the top job. He quickly fell out of favor when some scandals emerged that were to grave to ignore.
So where is China 's middle ground?
This week and on another platform, two key voices were pitted against each other for their role in Modern China. The first Chang Kai Shek, the second Mao Tse Tung.
One a champion of the revolution and therefore an advocate of the communist movements, the other an anti-communist.
Both men tied to history and the need to preserve the status quo but both confronted by the forces of change.
What is most interesting about the emergence of both men is that the age that proceeded after the end of Kingdoms necessitated or seems to require large chunks of time. These large periods of time both created a cult sense around these two leaders and resulted in a monarchy re-imagined. A study of china's history therefore has to be done with regards to those who gained prominence on one hand and those who fell victim to the forces of change both controlled and uncontrolled. A study of Mao Tse Tung involves as can be expected a look at his history. His relationship with his father, his peasant background, his love for literature, his exploration of the ideas that furnished the revolution in Russia, his marriages, University life and work life, role in the major systems that governed a post revolution china, ideas he presented once he came into power and then relationships with foreign nations.
The possibility of a collapse of the union as it stands in China is still a long way away. But it is a possibility. Thinkers that watched the collapse of the soviet union have to think about those that functioned under the ideology in the past and that still cling on to it. While the new head of state is still holding the fort and for all intents and purposes trying to revive the glories of Russia sans Czar this reality is should be dealt with by Chinese thought leaders. The trouble is there is no counterbalance of forces. At the moment the state is strong and it has successfully merged its power with its extensive purse.
Meanwhile In Uganda we are troubled why a few CEOs by passed our territories in favor of Kenya and Rwanda. Maybe God covered us with a kisubi (to cover one with grass as a protection measure). For it is going to prove increasingly difficult to split between the function of China as a government and those of China and it's influential business people. Should the business people rise as they should they might end up being on a collision course with a state that has its hands firmly on the state.
Seem have argued that much of the development on the local scene has been good for the region especially because China has taken no meddling position. But what the Dragon has demonstrated in her territories is a thirst and hunger that is unquenchable and a willingness to use force in the acquisition of additional territory and resource.
