China's government discourages democracy to placate capitalists.

[MissMarple]

Well, at least the Chinese are up front about this. Developing the economy seems to be their only reason for being, unfettered by any concern for democracy or human rights. I'm guessing George&Co are a bit envious.

http://csmonitor.com/2004/0428/p08s03-comv.html

The operating assumption about China's Communist Party is that it will do anything to stay in power - even if it means catering to capitalists who want popular calls for democracy royally squashed.

On Monday, Beijing leaders told the people of Hong Kong - who thought they had a right to elect their chief executive - that universal suffrage is ruled out. Such a "political experiment," said Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong, is too high a price to pay when Hong Kong's "eternal theme is developing the economy."

Hong Kong's business leaders readily admit they fear that direct elections would just lead to higher taxes. And under the Beijing-controlled electoral system in place since China took over from Britain in 1997, business "representatives" are ensured a set share of seats in a compliant legislature.

[bemildred]

1. The Chinese government can squash the capitalists like bugs,

if it wants to, this is blame shifting. It's not the capitalists
that are worried about losing power.

[MissMarple]

2. Right. And the article says it is their way of maintaining credibility.

They need to keep the happy times on track. It's possible that the Chinese eventually can roll over the Communists as they have their other fearless misleaders. I just keep thinking that in the Chinese time frame the Communists just haven't been there very long.

[bemildred]

3. China has serious internal issues.

One suspects that the ideological purity of the "Communists"
is not much these days, but the love of power goes on and on.

I was merely trying to say that it is the political leaders
that fear democracy, and to suggest that they find it convenient
to place the blame elsewhere. No doubt the Capitalists like
a docile workforce, but the government is the guarantor of that,
so I doubt the capitalists are out to piss off the government.

Edit: I hope you are right about the eventual replacement of these
thugs.