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BE_MORE_DOG t1_iyd7vev wrote

Reply to comment by TerryWogansBum in China to punish internet users for 'liking' posts in crackdown after zero-Covid protests by graveaffairsod

Maybe... but what can Chinese civilians really do? The Chinese army is loyal to the CPP, and if necessary will quell revolts with brute force. It's horrible. I would feel helpless as a Chinese citizen. Protest seems more likely to result in fatality than even minor social change.

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notrevealingrealname t1_iydfryy wrote

China’s economy depends on its workforce, and unlike in other countries, immigration isn’t nearly as much a thing there. If enough people get out there and protest, the government can’t stomp them all out unless they want to kneecap themselves for the next few decades.

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BPho3nixF t1_iydn2es wrote

If I've learned anything over the last year, it's that authoritarian governments will absolutely kneecap themselves for decades over being told "no."

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BrightSkies42 t1_iydwy20 wrote

Anything to hold onto power, even burning down your own house.

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rockmasterflex t1_iyeeomd wrote

Here’s the thing tho- you can kneecap your entire civilization and still stay in charge and have all the power and luxury you want if you’re good at it.

Said kneecapping only hurts the populace and non elites.

Better to be all powerful and surrounded by poverty than give up power! *taps Chinese forehead

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notrevealingrealname t1_iyeiijt wrote

Well, kind of. The elites rely on business continuing to be done in China. If there aren’t enough people left to keep businesses going, then trade dries up and they’re not making money anymore.

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OverallChicken7507 t1_iyef7yf wrote

Yeah that's my thinking too. However this all turns out, I suspect we'll be seeing changes in China over the coming years. I'm hoping they're for the better, but in ask honesty I'm not very optimistic. I know people in China who used to always invite me to go move over there, now when I talk to them, they aren't openly critical of the government but their advice has completely changed to "you're fine where you are, better to be stable." People can tell something's up.

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