Jimmy Carter Nudges China Toward More Democracy

[Khephra]

BEIJING (Reuters) - Former president Jimmy Carter applauded Communist China Tuesday for direct elections at the village level and said deepening democracy would not endanger stability or threaten the rule of law.

The Nobel Peace laureate said democracy was essential for full freedom of speech, assembly, unrestricted worship, unimpeded access to the Internet and representative trade unions.

"There is no doubt that further political changes could be made, if desired, without any real threat to stability or the rule of law," he told about 100 students and faculty members at Peking University.

"The goals of accountability, transparency and the maintenance of a stable and orderly society can best be reached when the people are given the right and responsibility of choosing their own leaders directly... Democracy is not a scary thing," he said.

more...................

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=3409499

[w4rma]

1. President Carter is a truely honorable man

Read Carter's Nobel Lecture, delivered in Oslo on Dec. 10, 2002.
Carter warns against 'catastrophic' war (December 10, 2002)
A Statement By President Carter: An Alternative To War (January 31, 2003)
Carter: Iraq threat does not justify war (January 31, 2003)
Carter Says Bush Has 'Not Made a Case' for War (February 1, 2003)
Carter Urges More Diplomacy on Iraq - Ex-President Blames Neglect of Mideast for Anti-American Mood (Feburary 25, 2003)
Just War — or a Just War? (March 9, 2003)

[Wednesdays]

2. Excellent, Mr. Carter.

When you have a chance, could you help us re-establish a democracy over here, too?

[bleedingheart]

4. yeah...I second that...I hope he helps nudge us back to democracy

[Merlin]

3. Good man, JC.

Pushing for trade unions with bargaining power is especially potent in a country like China. IMO, it's something we (the US) must push for in every nation we trade with. It should be made part of the WTO conventions.

[hunter]

5. We should pray for his success...

At the rate China is purchasing U.S. debt they will own us quite soon enough.

When that point is reached maybe China will be a democracy, and our children won't have anything to worry about.