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What external accountability levers actually work on the Chinese state? Do any internal ones work? The party seems able to shutdown anyone from bloggers to billionaires. I almost feel like I should buy personal CCP insurance. So many global risks are bundled into the party.
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If/when China collapses the geopolitical and economic earthquake will make the fall of the USSR look like a mild breeze.
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My China apocalypse plan is to stockpile 3D printers, filament, lithium batteries, and cheap China parts in my mansion cellars. In the long supply shock that would follow a Chinese collapse I’ll be profiteering off my racks of crap. My butler will sell it all on eBay.
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Sounds like I’m kidding but I’m only exaggerating. Covid convinced me preparedness is about scenario-specific supply chain fragilities and DIY skills. Not generic survivalism. Plastic stuff and electronics spares. In USSR collapse, the big one was military spares.
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Learning about China seems like homework tbf. Something I feel like I ought to do as part of adulting but don’t really want to do. Like there’s no fun tack to approach China from. Unlike say Korea where you can watch the tv shows.
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Is there a good introductory read on like kremlinology but for China? It’s like I’m not sure what to think about when I think about “China.” The party? Xi? Various powerful families? Their monetary policy?
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Maybe the right question is: what’s a fun way to learn about modern China? The way you can learn about the US through The Simpsons and South Park. Yes I already read 3BP and didn’t really get into it. Did learn a lot though.
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