Structural trends make me worry about the future of democracy. The rise of China is most relevant; the country is now the biggest investor in many countries/regions. Just as the spread of liberal democracy was tied to American economic power, I worry that Chinese power will entail the spread of authoritarianism. If the wind is blowing in this direction, pro-democracy summits can't achieve that much.
Admittedly, the economic development of China may entail domestic demands for democracy; Ron Inglehart's influential theory of postmaterialism predicts this. But I'm not very optimistic. And a declining West, plagued by extremism itself, is scarcely a good advert for liberal democracy.
What're the chances that Biden, in public remarks, will speak to US polarization and democratic dysfunction frankly, cogently, and judiciously, instead of rehashing tendentious partisan talking-points? About the same as a snowball's in Hell.
More to the point, information he released shortly before the national election of November 2016 embarrassed the Democratic Party's nominee for the office of POTUS and probably undermined public support for her candidacy. I.e., there is a partisan motive for persecuting Assange.
Structural trends make me worry about the future of democracy. The rise of China is most relevant; the country is now the biggest investor in many countries/regions. Just as the spread of liberal democracy was tied to American economic power, I worry that Chinese power will entail the spread of authoritarianism. If the wind is blowing in this direction, pro-democracy summits can't achieve that much.
Admittedly, the economic development of China may entail domestic demands for democracy; Ron Inglehart's influential theory of postmaterialism predicts this. But I'm not very optimistic. And a declining West, plagued by extremism itself, is scarcely a good advert for liberal democracy.
What're the chances that Biden, in public remarks, will speak to US polarization and democratic dysfunction frankly, cogently, and judiciously, instead of rehashing tendentious partisan talking-points? About the same as a snowball's in Hell.
How bout you push Pres Biden to start by freeing journalist Assange. All he did was embarrass the establishment.
More to the point, information he released shortly before the national election of November 2016 embarrassed the Democratic Party's nominee for the office of POTUS and probably undermined public support for her candidacy. I.e., there is a partisan motive for persecuting Assange.