Cadet Killian Buckley's Blog

I recently saw this video on TED by Eric X. Li in regards to the Chinese political system.  The talk in a continuation of Li’s icontroversial New York Times OP-ED in which he questioned traditional Western beliefs regarding China’s political system.  The article, titled “Why China’s Political Model is Superior”, raised questions within the Western media.  However, Li’s Ted Talk seemed convincing to the mainly Western audience whom applauded his explanation of his nation’s political system.  Li is considered a Chinese entrepreneur and has obviously benefited from the system.  Therefore, his viewpoint may differ from the many that have not benefited from this authoritarian system.

In his Op-Ed, Li claims that “America today is similar to the old Soviet Union, which also viewed its political system as the ultimate end.”  Obviously this claim had the potential to raise eyebrows in the West.  Regardless of what one thinks regarding Li’s politics or beliefs, his charisma and good nature seem to win over the mainly Western audience in this Ted Talk, which in itself makes it a worthy watch.