this post was submitted on 28 Jan 2026
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Sucks, but the so-called "second world" is witnessing what sees as brisk business, deals with anyone from Canada to Taliban Afghanistan.

However I do not sugarcoat the fact that some countries are now handing themselves from one falling hegemony with another, one that allows greater reckless capitalism but devalues individual personal freedoms.

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[–] mrnobody@reddthat.com 6 points 4 days ago (14 children)

I don't necessarily think China is as bad as we make it out to be. What major country doesn't have their gov spying on them?! I would almost argue that the US has more surveillance tech on its citizens than any other developed country. Based on how much tech we know exists and can assume exists that we don't know about, plus, with how much the US involves itself in other countries business, it'd be no surprise how much they know about everyone else domestically.

[–] mlg@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

The core difference, arguably only with the US, are individual freedoms like speech, religion, armament, etc.

Even though the US is currently trampling all over the bill of rights, it isn't something that can be easily ignored or covered up. Protest can and will still happen all the time.

China heavily values cohesion over individuality, so the only "free speech" you get to usually witness is scrutinized before it ever reaches you, and everyone is aware that the government actively covers up issues.

Aside from that, China is miles ahead of the US in development, infrastructure, and their economy. Most of the US complaints over China are hypocritical as you say, or only exist due to the US viewing China as a military an economic threat.

A lot of people would probably be happy to give up those freedoms in exchange for social stability and quality of life if they were given the option.

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