Is Chinese state authoritarian capitalism effectively 21st century mercantilism?

[norseamd]

Do you think they are very similar or somewhat different?

 

[agent00f]

Much of successful capitalism has always been state-backed. China has been following the Japanese model where the state bankrolls industry in progressively more advanced tiers. Ie. simple ones like textiles at the bottom to mechanical manufacturing to electronics and so on, basically the industrial revolutions in short order. It's a very well designed and largely well executed system.

This meshes with basic reality that modern (ie fair, free-ish) markets are creations of the state in the first place. The pyramid with leading edge tech at the top is how all known successful human civilization has been built thus far.

 

[Painman]

Authoritarian capitalism is essentially fascism, yes?

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-34592186

"Someone who plays video games for 10 hours a day, for example, would be considered an idle person, and someone who frequently buys diapers would be considered as probably a parent, who on balance is more likely to have a sense of responsibility," Li Yingyun, Sesame's technology director told Caixin, a Chinese magazine, in February.

Capitalistic activity that is not deemed to be enriching to the state hurts your credit rating?

Arbitrary declaration of segments of the population as "degenerate", and cutting of their lines of credit?

 

[MajinCry]

Isn't fascism where power rests with the few? O'er in the west, it manifests through corporations, that have bought out the Government. Over in China, it manifests through the Government itself.

And Painman, that wasn't what the quote was saying. It's saying that a person being in a position of responsibility, is more likely to have better financial responsibility than a no-lifer.

 

[norseamd]

And Painman, that wasn't what the quote was saying. It's saying that a person being in a position of responsibility, is more likely to have better financial responsibility than a no-lifer.

No, it is using the "socially acceptable legitimacy" of what you just said, to legitimize exactly what he just said, which includes those who play any video games at all, even if it is only 1 to 2 hours a week. That would also extend to those who are engaged in other activities that the Chinese government despises, like Falun Gong.

 

[Moonbeam]

So far, all I know is that my Diablo 3 time is under attack and it makes me nervous. I'm going to have to ask LunarRay what the hell is going on.

 

[MongGrel]

Do you think they are very similar or somewhat different?

I'd say since Globalization started long ago, it's a thin line if there is a difference these days.

Isn't fascism where power rests with the few? O'er in the west, it manifests through corporations, that have bought out the Government. Over in China, it manifests through the Government itself.

Pretty much this, the big issue these days are probably manufacturing processes and R&D secrets.

Personally, I think China is being leaked a lot of those on a steady basis from many mega corporations that have migrated there. You have even large contractors for the military moving in there going to bed with China for profits that are supposedly not allowes to be leaking info. But I find it hard to believe they are not myself.

The bottom line and profits for shareholders have been top priority a long time now, no matter where you are at globally as far as most corporations are concerned. Moral obligations are really not much of an issue.

 

[agent00f]

Isn't fascism where power rests with the few? O'er in the west, it manifests through corporations, that have bought out the Government. Over in China, it manifests through the Government itself.

And Painman, that wasn't what the quote was saying. It's saying that a person being in a position of responsibility, is more likely to have better financial responsibility than a no-lifer.

China mostly fits the superficial definition of fascist, including hilariously enough the anti-communist part.

I'd say since Globalization started long ago, it's a thin line if there is a difference these days.

Pretty much this, the big issue these days are probably manufacturing processes and R&D secrets.

Personally, I think China is being leaked a lot of those on a steady basis from many mega corporations that have migrated there. You have even large contractors for the military moving in there going to bed with China for profits that are supposedly not allowes to be leaking info. But I find it hard to believe they are not myself.

The bottom line and profits for shareholders have been top priority a long time now, no matter where you are at globally as far as most corporations are concerned. Moral obligations are really not much of an issue.

No "leaking" is necessary because it's explicit policy that foreign companies doing business there team up with some local firm.