tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750343339904865739.post6252538736916042773..comments2023-11-02T20:45:14.873+11:00Comments on eGov AU: The internet isn't a tool for democracy - it's simply a toolCraig Thomlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18350603210658700252noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750343339904865739.post-42911930519597820542010-11-04T07:03:01.132+11:002010-11-04T07:03:01.132+11:00Craig,
I think you are correct about 'our fre...Craig,<br /><br />I think you are correct about 'our freedoms'. Waleed Aly's essay http://www.quarterlyessay.com/issue/whats-right-future-conservatism-australia exploring the tradion of conservative ideas was widely admired, perhaps because many feel we have lost our way in the radical neo-con era in the west. I was surprised at how much I liked Aly's framing of these ideas, especially as he emphasises that (at a sensible pace) 'progress' is part of the tradition.<br /><br />Yes, "in a slow and measured way" sums up China (except for the 20th Century).Darcy1968http://darcymoore.net/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750343339904865739.post-9274131900382415042010-10-31T11:19:09.921+11:002010-10-31T11:19:09.921+11:00Hi Darcy,
Glad to hear you had an insightful trip...Hi Darcy,<br /><br />Glad to hear you had an insightful trip.<br /><br />Often we write off China because western media has a very shallow view of what is an extremely populous, diverse and energetic society. The language barrier doesn't help, Mandarin language sites are incomprehensible to western media commentators.<br /><br />I think in some ways western nations and China are heading in opposite directions. They are gradually increasing freedoms, in a slow and measured way. Whereas in the west we see freedoms gradually eroding.<br /><br />Whether and where the cross-over will occur is an area ripe for informed debate, but not much of that is occurring in Australia.Craig Thomlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18350603210658700252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750343339904865739.post-14064448983678410442010-10-29T06:19:47.321+11:002010-10-29T06:19:47.321+11:00After my recent visit to China, I enjoyed the pape...After my recent visit to China, I enjoyed the paper you linked to, Craig. I must admit, I was a surprised at how different China, well Shanghai for a tourist, was to my expectations. There seemed to be no difficulty in jumping the 'Great Firewall' and the place was absolutely alive with ideas. The educators I met were progressive and impressive. It came to my mind that democracies, as you suggest, must be careful to not become complacent about 'freedoms'.Darcy1968http://darcymoore.netnoreply@blogger.com