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[–] [S] 11 points 1 week ago (1 child)

I don't know if you're aware, but the Chinese have a leadership philosophy similar to the social contract called "mandate of heaven". It's been the cornerstone of Chinese leaders since the imperial dynastic days. A leader's authority is supreme but only if they could sustain the well being of the population. The subjects are willing to look over some of the personal liberty being infringed, if the overall well being of the population is well looked after. China's leading role in green energy did create jobs for many people. And not only that, it has a strategic purpose of weaning off of oil consumption for the country. The only reason that the global oil price did not shoot up to $200 as predicted this year is because China, the biggest oil importer, immediately stopped imports and their green energy kicked in to gear. Meanwhile, many countries are experiencing inflation and social unrest because they are too short sighted to have invested in renewable energy long ago.

Also weirdly enough, they are more capitalist than capitalist countries themselves. China do not bail out failed companies. Free market advocates will say if a company fails, it's their fault. And yet, the same free market advocates will demand government bail out. I'm pretty sure not bailing out companies is a popular sentiment for the public.

Lastly, they have extensive capital flight controls and rein their billionaires. Meanwhile, many countries are beholden and afraid to tax the wealthy for fear that "they will leave with their wealth and businesses" (it's not like the wealthy already did that when they offshored industries to poorer countries with very low worker rights and regulatory standards). Actually, I am more impressed with Vietnam because the government threatened to execute a billionaire who made money from defrauding clients, if that billionaire did not return half of the money. In the West, most only get a slap on the wrist with very lenient sentencing or no prosecution at all in the aftermath of the 2009 financial crisis.

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