[Ronin4hire]

Originally Posted by komitsuki

Why not? Nobody expected South Korea to become very anti-American after the Cold War.

I think being anti-American and being "anti-hawk" are two different things. I too have many problems with America. I don't think that it is a good idea (nor is it very realistic) to see America's role in Asia disappear in the near future.

Originally Posted by komitsuki

Now that the LDP is collapsing, there is indeed a greater possibility for Japan to become anti-American. Hell, some of my Japanese buddies are already anti-American. LDP is very infamous for doing shady deals with the American government for over 50 years. When things are exposed, there is a great possibility that Japan will turn anti-American.

My Japanese buddies are actually VERY anti-China. So which viewpoint represents the real Japan? Let's not play this game because I have Japanese buddies too. Instead, how about we discuss this according to what is in Japan's medium and long term interest.

Whichever party is in power, what we can expect them to do is to act rationally according to their agenda. An anti-America Japan is completely irrational no matter what your political platform (unless that political platform is is founded on something like Marxism or fascism of course)

Originally Posted by komitsuki

And China should stay that way because I don't want China to become just like South Korea: dysfunction-ally democratic, semi-borderline autocratic for over 50 years.

Dysfunctionally democratic? While South Korea may not have the perfect democracy. I don't think you can call South Korea a dysfunctional nation. Compared with China and taking into account it's size. South Korea's performance is MUCH better.

Originally Posted by komitsuki

Most of the crisis in 2009 is based around the Kaesong Industrial Park, a North Korean factory complex that is partly owned by South Korea. America is out of the card.

Your perspective is so narrow! I know you know your history... so don't be so stupid.

Originally Posted by komitsuki

Just like the American Donald Rumsfeld illegally sent several nuclear devices to North Korea?

I fail to see the relevance of this to anything I'm saying. Furthermore I'm not aware of this incident. A US politician sending nuclear warheads to North Korea? Sounds absurd... but I have an open mind... why don't you educate me (i.e. give me a link or a reference)

Originally Posted by komitsuki

You're right though, actually. Confucian countries have the worst form of democracy. Technically, South Korea and Japan are as authoritarian as China. Democracy in Asia works only if the dominant party leads its way to self-collapse. (ex. LDP in Japan)

That's bullsh*t. While Japan and South Korea do have problems... the checks and balances that their system provides is MUCH fairer than that of China. However democracy works in Asia... democracy works MUCH better than strictly authoritarian regimes.

Furthermore, democracy is not completely incompatible with Confucianism. Nor is the cultural reasoning for the oppression of political opinion a valid argument. Culture is not static. Culture is a dynamic and complex concept which moves and changes with time. Especially in the 21st century amongst modern countries.

Originally Posted by komitsuki

I welcome South Korea and Japan being very honest to themselves, instead of spewing rhetorics like "DEMOCRACY!". Securing themselves being very honest is a very Confucian approach.

Democracy is not rhetoric. What's rhetoric is your idea that Asian nations are incompatible with Democracy because of confucianism.

You see such arguments not just in authoritarian Asian states but also in Africa and the Middle East too. Ironically the countries that claim that they are culturally incompatible with democracy also tend to be the countries which feel the need to restrict the voices of dissent within them. (Zimbabwe for example). What I'm trying to say is that the cultural excuse only serves to legitimise oppression and power.

Also you speak as though Japan and South Korea have only one voice. While obviously they may see themselves as one on some levels, the myriad of interest groups and political opinions contained within them, especially today makes democracy of some sort the only solution to a prosperous and harmonious society.