1. What is a “harmonious society?”
Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia – Harmonious Society.
Bottom line: It is hard to clearly define, let alone build, a harmonious society. In contrast, it is easier to recognize an unharmonious society like America.
2. What is an unharmonious society?
The image below highlights the trap for an unharmonious society.
It has three key elements:
- poverty (and inequality)
- crime
- injustice.
To briefly highlight each …
2.1 Poverty
The image below is worth more than 1,000 words.
Poverty is relative or even a perception. For example, an American living in poverty may well be considered a middle-class citizen in a developing country.
What, then, is the key in the perception?
Inequality!
When the gap between the haves and have-nots becomes too big, you have (the sense of) poverty as well as injustice, leading to more crimes.
2.2 Crime
A society filled with crimes is not harmonious.
2.3 Injustice
No justice, no peace!
3. China
After the century of humiliation, China was impoverished – been there, experienced that!
Fortunately for China, with economic reforms (aka “state capitalism”), China has lifted some 800 million people out of poverty over the past four decades. Better yet, China has started addressing the issue of inequality (What happened to Jack Ma), which is totally beyond the West’s comprehension.
The crime rate in China has always been low, especially when compared with America. It becomes even lower with reduced poverty. The same can be said about the justice system. For more, read The People’s Republic of China at age 75.
4. America
Although America has indeed been hugely successful, especially economically, here is the cruel truth behind this success: throughout American history, there has always been a huge underclass supporting America’s economy, from slaves in the old days to millions of prisoner labor (Prisoner labor is modern slavery. I’ve been sent to solitary for speaking) and undocumented migrants doing the work that “Americans do not want” (e.g., apple picking and lawn mowing) nowadays.
The image below is worth more than 1,000 words: America today remains essentially the same as it was 200 years ago, with a huge underclass supporting the American economy!
4.1 Poverty (and inequality) in America
Read Poverty in the United States: 2023.
What about inequality?
Read the image below!
In short, poverty in America is perpetual, and “perpetual poverty” means “perpetual crime!”
4.2 Crime in America
Two informative readings:
Why is the incarceration rate so high?
Crime and injustice!
4.3 Injustice in America
Read the image below!
In short, it is the injustice system, stupid!
5. America vs. China
Two recent examples below highlight a key difference between America and China:
- How Starbucks CEO was awarded nearly $100 million in four months.
- Lenovo chief gives his $3m bonus to lower-paid workers.
The two images below highlight two important philosophies for a harmonious society.
6. Closing
America should strive to be a harmonious society, as China has been doing for at least 2,000 years.
America, reform our failing political system, as I have suggested (History 2.0 – China’s Comeback vs. America’s Decline), or face a bloody revolution at home (A quarter of Americans open to taking up arms against government, poll says)!
