Remember how pretty much the entire principled argument for engagement with Communist China was that it would become more democratic as it got exposed to our multi-national corporations, freedom, values, etc.?
Yeah, not so much.
Assuming this hypothesis was ever more than just cover for increasing business profits, it’s been proven completely wrong.
Xi Jinping is now part of the growing trend of authoritarian leaders – which has proven to be comfortably compatible with capitalism. (The shock!)
I don’t like to give Trump credit for much, but when he stood in China and said we ourselves were to blame for our position relative to China, he was right. And it’s been bi-partisan policy for decades.
And it was a contributing factor to the backlash that got Trump elected – which the Democrats still don’t seem to grasp.
The 21st Century will prove to be an interesting one.
