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POPSTaiwan's Interesting Democracy A democracy, you say? One where the people are concerned about the appearance of impropriety, you say? Impossible, I say, impossible! But it's true! And it's in Taiwan. They actually raise valid concerns about conflicts of interest in high government officials - before the corruption scandal, not after! How come we never thought of that? This blows a giant hole in the "Asian Values" argument, that dictatorship and corruption are inherent elements of "The Asian Mind" that cannot be changed. (Go suck on that one, Lee Kuan Yew!) But seriously, given the track record of the current Taiwanese first-lady, I would say it's better that Chow keeps her job, because this way she won't have to embezzle from the government when she wants to buy new earrings!
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POPSLosing Hearts and Minds; Empowering Extremism Before anyone asks why we aren't winning the War on Terror yet, consider these sad headlines. All around the world, reasonable people are being dragged into the slipstream of extremism. The cause is blatant moral bankruptcy. Greed, corruption and exploitation, fortified behind the twin bastions of ignorance and righteousness, are discrediting the institutions that are instrumental in overcoming extremism, intolerance, and global violence. Particularly America remains the store house of the world's hopes and dreams. We are not merely a nation but an ideal, and we must live up to our promise. Obama and McCain are both men of admirable morals and transparent character. Meanwhile, as Hillary obfuscates over her finances, we must realize she lacks the moral authority needed to restore America's international credibility. Being Righteous is not nearly as important as being Right.
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POPSThe Assasination of Benazir Bhutto When in power, corruption hemmed in around her, and her visions were stalemated by the reality of bureaucratic government. She was at her best when she was disenfranchised, chiding those in control. In power she was a bureaucrat, but in opposition she was an icon. Now she has died as icons die, as opposition leaders die, in an explosive annihilation of waves of humanity. ...at the back gate of a park after a speech, on the eve of her comeback.
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POPSAmerica's Faustian Dilemma: At What Price Hegemony? The author seems to think that we have no choice, that we must embrace corruption and bribery in dealing with dictators like Nazarbayev in Khazakstan in order to get the oil we crave. But we do have a choice. We could give up being the most powerful country in the world, couldn't we? At what point do we say that the pursuit of power isn't worth it? What values are so sacrosanct that we wouldn't compromise them for mere economic and political gain? Why does America have to be number one anyway? All the things I love best about my country have very little to do with our incessant drive to dominate the global community. In fact, I wouldn't mind it if we let someone else take over for a bit. I'm sick of all this chest pounding and dick measuring.
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POPSSavage Capitalism in the Post-Communist World
Although China has grabbed most of the headlines for poisonous toys, Russia has quietly gone to pieces as well. What is happening in these countries is not merely the residual effects of the failure of communism, it is a violently selfish mentality, perhaps born in the desperation of bread lines, but now blooming in the vacuum of law and order created by the collapse of the Communist system. In China and Russia both we see the values espoused by George Bush and his Neo-Conservative gang taken to their horrific logical extreme. Customers have become a commodity. Wealth is the only guarantor of safety and power. Corporations and corruption rule the government. The fanatical pursuit of wealth for its own sake has taken over, leaving the average citizen to fend for themselves in a frightening wilderness of indifference and exploitation. The blazing fires of this economic explosion are fueled by an icy detachment from the basic human traits of empathy and compassion.
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POPSThe Imminent Collapse Of China Contrary to popular myth, the Chinese have very little common sense when it comes to business. Virtually no Chinese-run company is internationally competitive. What's driving the Chinese economy? Pixie dust: The collective power of 1.3 Billion pairs of hands clapping to keep Tinker Bell alive. The business world is as riddled with corruption, nepotism and waste as the government. Often times, there is no difference at all between state and industry. This will end the same way it did for America in the thirties: with collapse. Investing in companies based only on enthusasim, nationalism, or just excitement and ignorance. (Gee, I'd really like to buy some stocks but I don't know which ones, oh well, let's get these, they have a pretty color, and your cousin works there, doesn't he?) I'll say it on the record right now: stay away from China if you have a business. Do everything you can to insulate yourself, because this is one house of cards that's gonna come tumbling down, and
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POPSEgo or Egalitarianism? Maoists on the move in Nepal Its official they're no longer part of the government and they're taking measures to disrupt upcoming elections. BBC paints them as looking to fail in the polls almost implying that their desire to disrupt elections is some sort of self serving power move. This may be fair, but at the same time one should consider their concerns - previous peoples movements (Jana andolan) in Nepal have been followed by brief acts of appeasement and institutionalized corruption (particularly the 1990 movement). I guess only time will tell if this is ego of egalitarianism.
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POPSThe Three Cs: Korea, Corruption, and Capitalism Wow, the part of Korea that didn't go crazy communist went crazy capitalist. Apparently, according to the testimony of Korea's President, being a powerfull buisnessman actually does make someone above the law. Read the article for more great quotes, like how the prosperity of the nation is more important than the rule of law. Actually, sounds a lot like some of the stuff Fred Thompson is getting at when he talks about not damaging the prosperity of America. Have fun Korean working-class! You will be hunted for sport for the amusement of corporate elites starting next week!
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POPSCase Studies in Accountablity (Part II) For those curious as to what will happen when the Chinese government gets to the bottom of the other food poisoning scandals, just look at this guy's face. China regularly executes government officials and business leaders for serious cases corruption. Although I don't support the death penalty, it stands in stark contrast to America, where we tend to find ways to avoid accountability through political spin. It seems today that entrenched politicians and their corporate allies in America flaunt their corruption, expecting us to dismiss disasters like the miss-management of the Hurricane Katrina disaster as something we can do nothing about. Is it really true that we can't expect anything better from our government?
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POPSCase Studies in Accountablity (Part I) Imagine a government where its own ministers hold themselves accountable for their own corruption. The Japanese government is certainly not a great system, but it's refreshing to hear that there are still politicians out there capable of feeling shame when their corrupt incompetence is exposed to the world, even if there aren't any in America.
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