“Go ahead sue me, my father is Li Gang!” shouted the unrepentant young son of a senior police officer in a provincial Chinese city last October. His car had just been forced to a stop by passersby after he had mowed down two young girls, killing one. Today, “my father is Li Gang” is a widely used expression in China, to refer to the impunity with which those connected to halls of power, can get away with their crimes. It is an impunity that is familiar to the people of Tunisia, where Mohammed Bouazizi set himself on fire in desperate protest. Even the acts of protests are by no means unique. A few months earlier in September, three people in eastern China too, set themselves on fire to protest the demolition of their home, one among the many thousands of forced demolitions that take place in the country at the behest of corrupt local officials.
And yet, while Ben Ali has fled Tunisia and Hosni Mubarak has finally been dislodged, China’s leaders remain ensconced in power despite the thousands of protests, big and small, that take place in the country every year.
The difference between the East Asian and North African regimes is perhaps best explained by the story of the coconut tree and the oak. When the tempest came, the coconut bent with the wind and remained standing, while the oak proud and unwilling to bend was torn from the earth, roots and all. China’s authoritarian political system has been extremely nimble in the last three decades and more at both adapting to and changing the political climate to ensure its survival. While it crushed ruthlessly the 1989 democracy movement, it also soon moved to co-opt the same sections of society that had provided support for the movement, primarily the middle-classes.
Rather than concentrate all power in one person or even in a select few, the Chinese Communist Party sought to increase its membership – to some 80 million, now – and to draft into its ranks, the educated and the talented. These select are allowed the freedom to be frank and critical to the rulers, as long as they accept the legitimacy of the Party – a party that also provides them with privileges and perks that came from supporting the ruling regime. In addition, all of China’s classes share in the country’s economic growth, even if to varying degrees.
The Arab regimes by contrast often treat those among the educated who question the government as enemies to be jailed or exiled. Meanwhile, the man on the street remains oppressed not just by the regime but also by stagnant economic growth and opportunities. What opportunities that exist have been visibly cornered by the tiny ruling elite even as bread riots take place in the streets or the educated remained jobless. This in turn feeds into a slow but sure religious radicalisation of the young and the unemployed.
The parallels with Pakistan are obvious even if Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani has declared that Pakistan would not see the events of Tunisia or Egypt repeated on its soil because it had functioning and democratic institutions. Perhaps. In a sense, the Lawyers Movement of a few years ago that ultimately led to the fall of General Pervez Musharraf could be seen as a precursor to the protests in the Arab world. Yet, that might also be stretching the parallel a bit, for there is no evidence that the Pakistani case has been an exemplar anywhere in the Muslim world or indeed, that it has materially changed the conditions for the man on the Pakistani street.
Nor is it likely that Arab dictatorships are going to learn any lessons in survival from East Asian authoritarianism, and even if they wanted to, it might already be too little too late or well nigh impossible. After all, even Pakistan which is China’s closest ally in Asia and in the Muslim world, has itself learnt little of either stability or economic growth from its friendly neighbour.
Meanwhile, though the Chinese government is blocking access to news of Egypt and its technology-enabled street protests, the Chinese have plenty of examples to inspire them at home. Another Li has been in the news recently. Li Na, losing women’s finalist at the Australian Open last month walked up to the umpire in the middle of the match asking, “Can you tell the Chinese [spectators], don’t teach me how to play tennis?” Li had had enough from her countrymen in the stands but her temerity in asking a Britisher (read ‘foreign devil’) to tell her fellow Chinese to shut up upset many back home conscious of their country’s ‘century of humiliation’ at the hands of Western imperialist powers.
And yet, ordinary people everywhere have to appeal to a neutral actor – whether God or America – to come to their aid in times of trouble. Like Li Na, the Tunisians and Egyptians too have had enough and so, it seems, have their counterparts elsewhere in the region. To return to the story of Li Gang, the fact that he had to go on television to apologise in tears for his son’s behaviour in response to furious public reaction around China, is also saying something.
Jabin T. Jacob is a Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS), New Delhi.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Quite a chance they would would go the Pakistan way.
They did not throw any able leader..
No debate took place about future/alternatives.
Army emerged as the father/mother figure. Now best and brightest would opt for Army..
Democracy needs nurturing. They would often loose patience and call in the army.
It would be interesting to see if democracy does not remain chimera for them.
YES, The Mualin Brotherhood would win the election in Egypt like, slamic party in Algeria and Hamaqs in Gaza, but it would not be acceptable for West and USA, so forget the democratical power in any Muslim country except puppet power.
I for starters wish that Qadhafi will be eradicated in the near future, he have had plenty of time of oppressing their people it’s about time that people from Libya also know what flexibility is
Even in Pakistan people are killed every day in the name of religion. The Sufi influence is slowly wearing out giving way to extremists. Minorities are perished regularly. Dreams of Mohammad Ali Jinnah of secular country has long been shattered! We never thought the lawyers,the very people who should safe guard the constitution would garland killer who took law in his hands. Terrorists are released from the cases every day as the judges are threatened. Even Davis will go Scot free without punishment as the moral strength of Pakistan has been weakened.
I can bet my life and say that we will be seeing another revolution this time for democracy in China during our life time.. Even chinese establishment is aware of this. that is precisely the reason why they block any reference to the uprising in over dozen countries in their media and internet fora.. as the author mentioned right now some sections of the people are enjoying unprecedented prosperity, so they are busy making the best of these opportunities.. the day the prosperity slows down and the opportunities start drying up the people will turn around ask some tough questions.. that is the day no force can stop the people of China grabbing the power like it happened elsewhere in scores of countries– Entire Soviet republic, east european nations, now arab nations….
So its too soon to pat the chinese govt…
since that eventful day in 2nd week of dec there is a peaceful, civilian uprising going on in at least dozen Islamic states.. but ironically there is an absolute and stony silence from the other 43 members of the OIC.. for .e.g take the case of a nation like Pakistan.. if one protestor is killed in firing in Kashmir there would be most virulent demonstrations, calls for an emergency meeting of OIC and passing a resolution condemning the “hindu conspiracy” to eliminate muslims, calls for a resolution at UN GA or UNSC..but now its the Muslim despots who are killing muslim people – at the last count that number crossed 1000- that too in front of the world gaze and in some cases like Libya they are sending military aircraft to fire at them and in Iran’s case there is a ” brutal militia” reared by the Govt to maim and kill the peaceful protestors.. now we know why nations like Pakistan are a joke.. with no credibility and sympathy.. whether its people or nations they earn the respect of others by their words, thoughts and most importantly their actions..so next time a pakistani or someone from muslim world makes comments about other non-muslim countries he should be told politely to “cock up” and keep his head in the sand till he gets choked…
How come no one is coming in support of the democracy-lovers in Libya?
Look at the way USA disowned their favorites. It is a long list Saddam Hussein, Hosni Mubarak, Musharraf and so on…Let us see if Muslim Brother hood wins the election, then USA and other so called democratic forces will accept the result or they will manipulate it like they did in Algeria and with Hamas.
America is quite or neutral because these peoples revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia is going to make US hypocrytic stand difficult to justify.
What Pakistan needs is a social revolution not just a revolution. Democracy is in Pakistan but in feudal form. We need leadership of new faces of intelligent people who will stand up for the people and make the country less reliant on foreign aid.
Content with the intensity of it all, if referred to Pakistanis, I believe they have still not had enough, for their rulers have learned more than what’s need to strengthen the status quo.
Arabs have come to know the value of freedom.Economic exclusion,unemploment.social inequality and political unfreedoms have diluted the tolerance level of the people and turned them furious against dictators.
agree, despite having the phyical resources to control the billion plus, the Chinese are smart enough to let the middle classes soar financially and therby keep them happy and oblivious of political and human rights issues.
Which of the Tunisian, Egyptian, Yemeni and Bahranian people are appealing to America or God?
So America is now neutral!
Facebook inspired youth of Egypt told Lara Logan of CBS – in no uncertain terms – what true freedom and democracy means to them!
Yes, they have spoken loudly and eloquently!