W.E.I.
West-East International, Inc.
Phone/Fax: (630)364-2542
1924 Slippery Rock Road, Naperville, IL 60565, USA
Email: [email protected]
Kleptocracy: A Fourth Similarity between Communism and Democracy
By Frank Li, Ph.D.
Founder & President, West-East International, Inc.
July 20, 2012
This is the fourteenth article of the series: “Towards An Ideal Form of Government”.
Previously, I identified three major similarities between communism
and democracy as follows:
(1) Destruction of capitalism (Democracy and Communism: Are They
Really the Same?).
(2) Brainwashing (Brainwashing in Communism and in Democracy).
(3) Ideology (Ideology: Yet Another Similarity between Communism
and Democracy).
In this article, I will identify kleptocracy as a fourth major similarity
between communism and democracy.
1. What is kleptocracy?
According to Wikipedia, “Kleptocracy, alternatively cleptocracy or kleptarchy, (from
Greek: κλέπτης - kleptēs, "thief"[1] and κράτος - kratos, "power, rule",[2] hence "rule by
thieves") is a form of political and government corruption where the government exists to
increase the personal wealth and political power of its officials and the ruling class at the
expense of the wider population, often without pretense of honest service. This type of
government corruption is often achieved by the embezzlement of state funds.”
In short, kleptocracy means stealing and government corruption.
2. Kleptocracy in communism
Communism is kleptocracy by definition! In fact, it’s too
generous to call communism (i.e. robbery) “kleptocracy” (i.e.
stealing). “Armed robbery” is more apropos!
The two biggest communist countries were the Soviet
Union and China under Mao (1949-1976). Both failed and then
changed in their own ways highlighted as follows:
(1) The Soviet Union: It was dissolved, became Russia, and changed to a sort of stilted
democracy over night, thanks to Mikhail Gorbachev (i.e. brainless and reckless) and
Boris Yeltsin (i.e. heartless and reckless), resulting in untold human misery, a few
billionaires (e.g. Mikhail Prokhorov), and a doubtful future.
(2) China: It changed for the better over time, thanks to the wisdom of one individual:
Deng Xiaoping, resulting in China’s extraordinary success today and a new political
system that appears to be slightly better than democracy, as we know it (America:
What is China, Anyway?).
Bottom line:
(1) It was a positive change from armed robbery (i.e. communism) to stealing (i.e.
kleptocracy) for both Russia and China.
7/20/2012
1
W.E.I.
West-East International, Inc.
Phone/Fax: (630)364-2542
1924 Slippery Rock Road, Naperville, IL 60565, USA
Email: [email protected]
(2) The West must not dismiss China’s system (i.e. “state capitalism”) lightly just
because stealing is prevalent there (China’s Macroeconomic Miracle: Kleptocracy).
It’s the direction and the rate of change that matter most, and it is a long and tortuous
journey to transition from communism to an ideal form of government!
(3) Democracy, as we know it today, has become totally kleptocractic and bankrupting!
3. Kleptocracy in democracy
Three readings:
(1) American Democracy: Massive Falsehoods at The Top!
(2) Blagojevich and Pearl Harbor: They Are Related!
(3) Insider Trading in Congress.
Overall, American politicians have long been openly and proudly “spreading the wealth”
of the nation to special interest groups (e.g. public unions) in exchange for votes! America’s
national debt already exceeds $15T. How much more should we allow them to steal from the
public treasury and from our future generations before saying “enough is enough”?
4. The U.S. vs. China
It’s easy to steal in China, as money is everywhere! But it can be restless. Here is a
rumored story about Wang Lijun (pictured left), the man who
brought down Bo Xilai, and Wen Qiang, Wang’s predecessor: Before
his execution, Wen shared his prophesy with Wang: “you will be like
me in a few years!” Apparently, Wang took Wen’s advice seriously.
He was well prepared for his doomsday and escaped to the American
Consulate in Chengdu before Bo could have settled with him
“locally” by taking him into custody, possibly with a speedy trial
followed by a speedy execution. By running into the American
Consulate, Wang saved his life with two major results: (1) Beijing
took custody of him shortly afterwards and (2) he had a chance to
confess his own crimes together with Bo’s.
Like China, stealing is widespread and systematic in the U.S. Unlike China, stealing can
be open and restful in the U.S. Three examples:
(1) For many American politicians, stealing from the public treasury and from the future
generations is a way of life – Nobody is losing sleep because of it!
(2) What about Insider Trading in
Congress? Nancy Pelosi is certainly not
losing sleep because of it (Confronting
Pelosi on Insider Trading)!
(3) Although the launch of the Iraq War has
been widely regarded as the biggest
mistake ever in U.S. foreign policy,
nobody has been held accountable for it!
Tens of thousands of Iraqis died. What
about the U.S. casualties? 4,486 deaths
and over 100,000 wounded! It was a
crime against humanity! Yet President
George W. Bush appears to be resting
well in retirement. Where is the basic
justice?
7/20/2012
2
W.E.I.
West-East International, Inc.
Phone/Fax: (630)364-2542
1924 Slippery Rock Road, Naperville, IL 60565, USA
Email: [email protected]
Here is the latest article on China’s corruption: The family fortunes of Beijing’s new few.
Very bad, isn’t it? But between that and the Iraq War, I would pick the former every time!
Besides, we have our “royal” families too: the Kennedys, the Bushes, or even the Clintons.
5. Discussion
It’s easy for America to pick on China (and vice versa), and debate forever about whose
system is better, while losing valuable time solving our own problems. So let’s keep the
debate simple by focusing on the results (vs. processes) and the political systems (vs.
individuals):
(1) Results: China is well on her way to becoming the largest economy on earth by 2030,
while the entire West is on the verge of bankruptcy. Several European countries are
already there, with more to follow, including America. Wondering about America’s
tomorrow? Look at Europe today (Europe’s Problems Put Another 4.5 Million Jobs at
Risk)! Wondering about America’s next generation? Look at this generation in
Europe (Class 2012: 5 Europe grads face rocky future)!
(2) Political systems: Forget about China’s Bo or America’s Pelosi, or even President
Obama. Let’s think about the political system, holistically (Towards An Ideal Form of
Government). Here is the bottom line:
 “The political system does not matter, as long as it embraces capitalism!”
(Ideology: Yet Another Similarity between Communism and Democracy)
 Today’s Chinese government is more pro-business (i.e. pro-capitalism) than
today’s American government, even per Steve Wynn (Steve Wynn Takes on
Washington). That is the most important difference between China and the
U.S. today! That is the key reason behind China’s rise and America’s decline!
What, then, is the solution for the U.S.? Bet on Mitt Romney by demanding that he be a
great President as I suggested (An Open Letter to Mitt Romney)!
6. Closing
Like communism, democracy, both as an ideology and as a form of government, has
many merits in theory. But in practice and effect, democracy looks more and more like
communism. Consequently, unless it can be adapted to the changing times, like the Chinese
did with communism, democracy, as we know it today, will destroy the West as
spectacularly and painfully as communism destroyed the East!
7/20/2012
3