[komitsuki]

Originally Posted by Ronin4hire

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.

I see it as a very good idea because it will reorganize the South Korean government to a better transparent government.

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.

At least the Chinese parliament, despite being a single party, is more functional. South Korea often lock the parliament to pass laws and policies after that idiotic corrupted pro-American president came into power.

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

Your perspective is laughably limited. Go read some South Korean articles.

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)

Rummy's North Korea Connection What did Donald Rumsfeld know about ABB's deal to build nuclear reactors there? And why won't he talk about it? - May 12, 2003

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.

And Japan has a single dominant party system for how long? Checks and Balances system doesn't guarantee when it is a single dominant party system like Japan and indirectly South Korea. South Korea's case is wee bit different.

However democracy works in Asia... democracy works MUCH better than strictly authoritarian regimes.

See South Korea today. Do you think it really works? Democracy IS the worst political form for Asia because of our culture.

Culture is a dynamic and complex concept which moves and changes with time. Especially in the 21st century amongst modern countries.

Only applies to West that superimposes its culture and thinking to other non-Western countries.

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

And that's true because confucianism has primarily a meritocratic kernel. And democracy is poorly a meritocratic system.

You see such arguments not just in authoritarian Asian states but also in Africa and the Middle East too.

This is why I limited to Asia (more specifically East Asia). I don't think that is a problem.

What I'm trying to say is that the cultural excuse only serves to legitimise oppression and power.

Of course. This is why East Asia should never become democratic. I call it meritocracy.

Confucian political value =/= authoritarian.

today makes democracy of some sort the only solution to a prosperous and harmonious society.

Only applied to the West. You see, I never criticize the West having democracy. Don't twist my words.