Artigo
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]