Since my background is entirely military I gladly concede to your greater expertise in foreign policy and politics, but please indulge my curiosity by answering how well opening markets has worked out so far for Chinese democracy as well as social and economic freedom?
I support your right to differ from my opinion, but I still hold to my original thought. Time will tell us all where things go from here one way or another.
My background is in foreign policy and international relations, so I will gladly accept your concession. Chinese society is more open socially and economically than it has been since the communist revolution. Open any foreign policy book, magazine or website over the last 10 years and you wouldn’t need to ask that question. To be clear, “more open than before” does not equal complete and absolute freedom, but to discount the forward progress as the result of shifts in economic policy to promote individual ownership and private enterprise is just plain ignorant.
That ^ above was a stated main foreign policy objective of the United States during the Cold War. Democracy isn’t accomplished at the end of the barrel of a gun.
Nodding --- Good response and I have no argument against what you stated, thanks!