My piece: Is it time to consider a word other than "authoritarian" to describe China? "Fascism: a surveillance state with a strongman invoking racism, nationalism and traditional family values at home, while building up a military for expansion abroad." washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/…
The state has also become fixated on machismo, another fascist obsession. It bans what it considers “effeminate” behavior. It exhorts men and women to procreate — focusing on Han Chinese, while doing the opposite with ethnic minorities like Uyghurs.
When I was in Beijing, the foreign press corps described China as authoritarian when necessary — but entire articles concerning China’s political system could also be written without mentioning the word. Now "authoritarian" is commonly used. But is it time to reassess this?
Legal scholar @tengbiao's described China as "techno-totalitarian." It sounded so extreme. But I respect Teng Biao so much; I gave it more thought. It led me to reassess whether "authoritarian" — used to also describe Turkey — is accurate. If not, it's a disservice to the public.
The Chinese state is also anti-labor and anti-union. It allows market capitalism until it conflicts with the Party's interests (see what happened to Jack Ma, etc.). You see similarities here with Mussolini’s corporatist fascism.
Predictably, whataboutists have weighed in invoking the United States. I would say my piece looked at China but if you think you won the "gotcha" game it might be worth googling what I've actually reported on in the US. Good luck, I filed 176 pieces over a three-year period.
I want to thank my friend GRR, who served as a second pair of invaluable eyes as I wrote this. It made the piece stronger, and I am grateful. 🙏🏼
Also a thank you to my favorite Marxist FW, who is not at all miffed I left him out yet is bold enough to gently remind me. Grateful for your help and friendship. ☺️
Some of you have noticed I've limited replies. It is not exclusive to this tweet thread. I've been doing so since late last year. I've been on Twitter for more than a decade. Incels, misogynists, and little pinks have had free rein, and I just decided time's up, dudes.
The best disinformation is that which has a kernel of truth. Bad faith critics who say my essay on China and fascism describes the US are right that former President Trump displayed the characteristics of a wannabe fascist. Well Americans voted him out of office.
... That is not something the people of China can hope for with Xi Jinping. There are many problems in the United States, from racial justice to our health care system — all of which I've reported on to hold my government accountable. Something that just doesn't happen in China.
Anyone who wants to make the false comparison that the US is also fascist does so in bad faith, with no consideration of the many institutions and civil society groups in place in democracies to stop those who have power from keeping it and abusing it. The irony is...
... The mere fact someone in America on this platform can call the US a fascist state with no consequences — and not get thrown into prison and the key tossed away with no due process like how China would respond — underscores the craven ill intent of whataboutists.
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