Democracy and Rules

In Singapore, the topic of China and its economic progress arose.

“They were smart in China, Dan. They began with economic reform – leaving the politics for later.”

“Well…”

“And they’ve made tremendous progress.”

“I’ve heard that little has changed in the countryside.”

“But 300,000,000 people in the cities have improved lives.”

“Yes, but that leaves 800,000,000 behind. They have no voice. They can’t even vote.”

“Look at India, Dan. The infrastructure is a mess. Do you know why?”

“Why?”

“If they want to build a road, they have to remove the squatters.”

“So?”

“All those squatters are voters. Democracy is fine – once things are working.”

“Democracy is..”

“The Americans always push democratic government, Dan – unless the wrong group wins the election. Like Palestine.”

“Palestine?”

“And Google is stupid.

“This conversation is flowing like a pinball dropping down a pachinko machine,” I thought.

“Google is making it possible for China to create a competitor.”

“This jellyfish is very good,” I replied as I fumbled with my chopsticks.

Singapore is a city of rules – the photo describes the rules of use for an escalator.