Reading this dispatch on Salon in conjunction with something recently posted on TNR about how our trade policy with China just won't work is getting me thinking. I've been a proponent of the trade-creates-change theory for a while. In my mind I look at the Renaissance in Italy as the first great example of how increased trade can bring about myriad changes in all forms of scholarly thinking. What Kaplan points out in his TNR article is that the Chinese government has learned from other nations that have converted to capitalism and have taken steps to ensure that there will be no cultural awakening that moves the country away from Communism. In the past, governments have either not understood or not believed in the effects that free trade can have throughout a society. It would seem that China does understand and is making sure it doesn't happen there. They've managed to keep the west at arm's-length since the early 1800's. Perhaps it is time to change our course in dealing with the Chinese and their human rights violations. I wonder if Kissinger would suggest that we sign initiatives with regard to Sri Lanka or Columbia in order to pressure China into changing. That's the way it works, right Henry?
- posted by levinson @ 7/06/2001 10:11:00 AM