During my research on China, public political dissent, and the government reaction to this dissent, I came across an interesting point. That is, Chinese political demonstrators do not really wish to revolutionize or to radically change the government. Rather, they feel that it is their job to suggest changes in the government in order to move it back towards a comfortable equilibrium, an equilibrium with the government still in complete control. Yet in the U.S., demonstrators often want a revolution and a change in government, such as during the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Struggle of the 1960's, and indeed during the contemporary presidency of George W. Bush. Similarly, many Americans wish to change the institutions of our government, like the electoral college, the structure of Congress, and the powers of the president. So, in order to get a more well-rounded view, one that is disassociated from the media coverage of demonstrators in the U.S., I'd like to see what you think about revolution. What do you think it accomplishes?; Do you think it is patriotic to engage in demonstrations and criticism?; Finally, what do you think the most successful kind of demonstration and/or revolution is? (i.e. peaceful, violent, hunger strike, self-immolation...). Thanks and hit me back.
Posted by dan at November 16, 2004 11:06 PM