21st. Century Battle: Autocracy vs. Democracy

More and more it appears that the world is prepared to accept, and even embrace, a free, market-based economy. Sure, not everyone is "playing fair", and there are likely to be (and have been) stumbling blocks on the way towards a completely global field of play, but we are well on our way towards this end.

The rise of China as an undeniable economic powerhouse is disturbing because it is a government bent on repression and control, except where profit is involved. My hope is that some successful Chinese entrepreneur will rise above the brainwashing their regime has imposed upon them and speak out against the basic rights their government denies them. My fear is that they will be paid handsomely not to do so, and the Chinese government will be allowed to continue repressing these rights, to the detriment of most...and benefit of the very few. This fear is made all that much stronger by my feeling that an autocratic government can make things easier for business. At a minimum, schedules become easier to predict and government-funded projects are less likely to be put on hold or delayed.

Democracies are great for people (as they should be), but more difficult for business. Schedules and government funding are more unpredictable and businesses are forced to adapt to constantly changing (and sometimes overly restrictive) regulations. Still, I think that the marriage of democracy and capitalism is what's best for the world, and it's future. For the benefit of all of us, let's hope that businesses (and China) feel the same!

I doubt that either Obama or McCain will seriously address this issue in their respective campaigns, which is a shame because I feel that it just might be the most important "battle" of the 21st. century. If the autocracy-capitalism combination wins out, our world (at the end of this century) will be pretty ugly...

[UPDATED 6/25/08]

Ok, so this isn't so much of a "new" battle, but rather the continuation of an old one. Still, it is no less important. Democracy(ies) must find a way to win... No 21st. century battle is more important!

I just received (and finished reading) my Father's Day gift from my father. It's a book called "The Return of History and the End of Dreams" by Robert Kagan. Not only is it an excellent read, but it strongly supports the view I present in this post.