by Peter G. de Krassel
The Chinese are angry and vocal about the record-breaking pollution, tainted food, quality of life, Japan, North Korea and America. America for its military buildup in Asia and support of Japan in the Diaoyu Island dispute. Many welcomed the confirmation of Senator John Kerry as Secretary of State and his call for “fresh thinking” and broadening America’s relationship with China. Many hope to immigrate to America to enjoy its freedoms, which they are denied in China.
Reformers are trying to get China to live up to its Constitution, a document that guarantees full powers for a representative legislature, the right to ownership of private property, and freedoms of speech, press and assembly. Though the Constitution was ratified in 1982 by the National People’s Congress, it has languished ever since.
Xi Jinping is determined to keep the Communist Party in power and intact and not allow it to suffer the fate of its Soviet counterpart. Xi’s remarks on the lessons of the Soviet Union, as well as warnings in the state news media, betray a fear that China’s strains could overwhelm the party, especially if vows of change founder because of political sclerosis and opposition by privileged interest groups.
Judicial independence, a traditional pillar of the rule of law in Hong Kong, was publicly questioned and challenged by politicians, the legal fraternity and the dean of the Hong Kong University law school when the government decided to have the Court of Final Appeal refer the right of abode issue to Beijing instead of making the decision itself.
In Hong Kong, thousands marched in politically charged rallies demanding the “cheating” chief executive resign for lying during the election about the illegal rooms he added to his home – and that the rule of law be restored.
The protest movements in Hong Kong reflect the depth and despair that people everywhere share about their political establishments. They mirror the disillusionment expressed at the ballot boxes and on the streets in Greece, Spain, Egypt and Tunisia – the birthplace of Arab cleansing.
Italy’s anti-establishment crusade, the Five Star Movement founded by comedian Beppe Grillo, brought the Third American Revolution to Italy’s February 2013 election. Grillo and his movement were the biggest winners in the election. They won a quarter of all ballots cast. So the future of Italy -and the eurozone – hinges on the movement.
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