The global pandemic has highlighted a critical part of the widening U.S.-China conflict: The battle isn't just over who has faster 5G or better missiles. It's an ideological war over which system is superior, democracy or autocracy. And the US isn't doing so well right now. 1/
China is touting its "victory" over the virus as a mark of its superior govt. They're preaching to the world about how to combat the virus. It's nonsense of course. The failings of Chinese authoritarianism are what started the pandemic in the first place. 2/
But Beijing will use the story anyway & the US is playing into its hands. The chaotic response from Washington, the lack of preparation, the political squabbling is all fodder for Chinese propagandists. A big part is Trump, but it isn't entirely Trump. 3/
The fact that Trump's initial response was to worry about this reelection - calling the virus a "hoax" & a conspiracy shows the worst of electoral politics. But the rot is deeper, like the corruption of Sen Burr: 4/ nytimes.com/2020/03/20/us/…
The crisis has brought out the best of the US system, too. Local officials like Gov Cuomo are taking the lead while Washington scrambled to catch up. But no one is looking to the US to show the way in this crisis. They're looking at the US & wondering what went wrong. 5/
If the US is going to win the contest w China, it has to do better & show why democratic systems are still the only way to organize government. Otherwise the disenchantment fueling autocracy will spread & that benefits the Chinese. 6/
