Let us have a fair and respectful discussion:
*** Ok
1: Democracy is not merely about a system of check and balance. It is a culture, a mentality, a thinking frame of a nation. I should say that the latter will determine the former.
*** Sorry, I can't think in big words. Looks like Taiwan shares similar culture with us, still adopts democracy successfully. I have no idea what "a thinking frame" you are talking about and how to achieve that. Let's put aside the issue which decides which for the time being, does China needs democracy or not? Then we talk about whether it is achievable.
Agree. Thinking in big words seems too much a luxury right now. Let's focus on what China needs, to adapt some democratic elements, or to strengthen the dictatorship or whatever you call it as appropriate.
2: Democracy is also about how to respect other's opinion and find commond ground to move forward. To be
frank, this is what we lack in this forum, among those namely well-educated people.
*** Not only in this forum, and it is healthy as long as you don't throw dirty words (I don't mean you). Back
in China, you may find lots of people of "common ground" and lots of agreeable forums. Don't confuse criticism and healthy argument with nasty personal attacks. You may find model forums based in the Mainland.
Democracy is about co-existence, about balance of power between devils (not angels) embedded in everyone of us,
about compromises not wars between fighting political factors,... etc, etc. You can stretch it to a mile long.
However, to me, it is simply about the right that I, you, and he can all express opinions freely without the fear of being persecuted.
I consider the "dog-fighting" in a house-representative meeting in TW a demonstration of democracy because no single devil preveails in the fight. It is a deadlock and I like deadlock.
Democracy is not about I agree with you. Rather it is about I disagree with you but I still want you to be able to shout at me as loud as I can possibly do to you. The nice peaceful facade of a web forum doesn't make it any better or more democratic than a web forum full of different voices and noises.
*** Ok
1: Democracy is not merely about a system of check and balance. It is a culture, a mentality, a thinking frame of a nation. I should say that the latter will determine the former.
*** Sorry, I can't think in big words. Looks like Taiwan shares similar culture with us, still adopts democracy successfully. I have no idea what "a thinking frame" you are talking about and how to achieve that. Let's put aside the issue which decides which for the time being, does China needs democracy or not? Then we talk about whether it is achievable.
Agree. Thinking in big words seems too much a luxury right now. Let's focus on what China needs, to adapt some democratic elements, or to strengthen the dictatorship or whatever you call it as appropriate.
2: Democracy is also about how to respect other's opinion and find commond ground to move forward. To be
frank, this is what we lack in this forum, among those namely well-educated people.
*** Not only in this forum, and it is healthy as long as you don't throw dirty words (I don't mean you). Back
in China, you may find lots of people of "common ground" and lots of agreeable forums. Don't confuse criticism and healthy argument with nasty personal attacks. You may find model forums based in the Mainland.
Democracy is about co-existence, about balance of power between devils (not angels) embedded in everyone of us,
about compromises not wars between fighting political factors,... etc, etc. You can stretch it to a mile long.
However, to me, it is simply about the right that I, you, and he can all express opinions freely without the fear of being persecuted.
I consider the "dog-fighting" in a house-representative meeting in TW a demonstration of democracy because no single devil preveails in the fight. It is a deadlock and I like deadlock.
Democracy is not about I agree with you. Rather it is about I disagree with you but I still want you to be able to shout at me as loud as I can possibly do to you. The nice peaceful facade of a web forum doesn't make it any better or more democratic than a web forum full of different voices and noises.
