Re: China: Mandate of heaven?

On May 26, 4:24=A0am, Jim Walsh <jimNOwalsSPA...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> On Mon, 26 May 2008 03:40:04 +0800, BobLee1964 wrote
> (in article
> <ac028bff-15ca-40c8-8229-ce58c1c25...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>):
>
>
>
>
>
> > On May 25, 4:30=A0am, Jim Walsh <jimNOwalsSPA...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> >> On Sun, 25 May 2008 08:03:35 +0800, BobLee1964 wrote
> >> (in article
> >> <e9e3cf0d-b750-4339-a0df-53b57b78d...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>):
>
> >>> On May 22, 8:48=A0am, Jim Walsh <jimNOwalsSPA...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> >>>> On Thu, 22 May 2008 13:36:49 +0800, BobLee1964 wrote
> >>>> (in article
> >>>>
<7f5279d3-dfc4-4e04-b1ed-49814a13d...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>):
> >>>>> Hong Kong is autocratic.
>
> >>>> No, it is not. Autocratic countries do not permit free speech, free
p=
ress,
> >>>> freedom of religion etc.
>
> >>>> Autocratic countries do not permit substantial economic freedom.
>
> >>> Autorcratic only means that the ruler (theoretically) has the power
> >>> exclusively. ....
>
> >> According to your definition, Hong Kong is not autocratic because the
> >> executive does not have the power, even theoretically, to change the
> >> decisions of the courts.
>
> > Chief executive can still, theoretically, change the decisions of the
> > courts. He can ask the National People's Congress to amend the basic
> > law.
>
> That is not "change the decisions". That is "appeal the decisions".
There =
is
> no autocrat in Hong Kong.
>
> I agree that the leaders of the CCP are autocrats, but for various
reasons=

> they have decided not to rule Hong Kong autocratically.
>
> > He can appoint the like-minded judges to the courts at the first
place.
>
> Well, sort of.
>
> Were the Chief Executive appoints the judges of the Court of Final
Appeals=
,
> but not the others. Furthermore, there is no easy way for him to remove
or=

> replace them. And the Basic Law forbids interference with the courts.

Well, the Chief Executive appoints the other judges, maybe indirectly.

Also true that in China it is not easy to appoint / replace a top
judge in the People's Court. It has to be approved by the People's
Congress.