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Article

3 Apr 2007

Author:
[opinion column] Harold Meyerson, Washington Post

In Fear Of Chinese Democracy

Listen to the apostles of free trade, and you'll learn that once consumer choice comes to authoritarian regimes, democracy is sure to follow... As a theory of revolution, [this] rule leaves a lot to be desired. Shanghai is swimming in Starbucks, yet...the [Chinese] regime soldiers on... Which is why the conduct of America's corporate titans in China is so disquieting. There, since March of last year, the government has been considering a labor law that promises a smidgen of increase in workers' rights... [The] American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and the U.S.-China Business Council embarked on a major campaign to kill these tepid reforms... In its public comments on the proposed law, [General Electric] declared that it strongly preferred "consultation" with workers to "securing worker representative approval" on a range of its labor practices. Based on a second draft of the law, completed in December, it looks like American businesses have substantially prevailed. [also refers to American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai members Microsoft, Dell, Ford]