While I agree with the sentiment in general, this is practically impossible in the foreseeable future. I think it’s time to turn the page on our relations with most of the world and drop the self-harming attempts to pressure this or that partner on moral grounds. Over the last little while it’s become clear that almost everyone is hypocrite of some degree and I don’t think anyone buys virtue signalling coming from us or anyone else anymore. I’m not saying that virtue signalling is always bad, I mean it in this context, especially when dealing with well established strong governments. Instead we should engage on material issues, and when possible frame moral issues as material based on their material impact, behind closed doors. Expecting that China, or Saudi Arabia, countries with different culture and history are going to get pressured into accepting our moral compass isn’t realistic and I think it’s conterproductive. Not to mention that their people may very well disagree with it, which means pressuring them to accept it could be anti-democratic. Do we know that Chinese people don’t want the death penalty? I know that I’m not reacting positively at the US pressuring Canada into accepting their views on some stuff.
China must be pressured to drop the death penalty.
While I agree with the sentiment in general, this is practically impossible in the foreseeable future. I think it’s time to turn the page on our relations with most of the world and drop the self-harming attempts to pressure this or that partner on moral grounds. Over the last little while it’s become clear that almost everyone is hypocrite of some degree and I don’t think anyone buys virtue signalling coming from us or anyone else anymore. I’m not saying that virtue signalling is always bad, I mean it in this context, especially when dealing with well established strong governments. Instead we should engage on material issues, and when possible frame moral issues as material based on their material impact, behind closed doors. Expecting that China, or Saudi Arabia, countries with different culture and history are going to get pressured into accepting our moral compass isn’t realistic and I think it’s conterproductive. Not to mention that their people may very well disagree with it, which means pressuring them to accept it could be anti-democratic. Do we know that Chinese people don’t want the death penalty? I know that I’m not reacting positively at the US pressuring Canada into accepting their views on some stuff.
Like condemning ever pressured anyone to do anything
It would build the case to boycott China.
You can train it on the USA prior “pressuring” China. You know, similar cultures. Should be easier, huh?
Both should drop it.