- “而一个十岁的年轻政府竟有那样大的凝聚力，今日看来简直不可思议。”
To say above is equivalent to say, one hundred years ago, people didn’t feel the inconvenience of not having telephone, TV, or computer, 简直不可思议..
I think 1). People are inexperienced and didn’t know how to deal with the new government. There is parallel situation in US too. During the great depression in the 30s in US, there were no jobs, no food but no people expressing dissatisfaction openly, at least not as bold as resisting the Viet Nam War in the 60s.
2), When Jap soldiers first came to China, they burned, raped, and killed but met no resistance. Comparing with that, the 60’s famine is nothing. Chinese are noted for their loyalty as well as endurance.
3), Chinese believe in Charisma leaders.
I remember Liao Kang once wrote a piece called “If Shakespeare is Chinese,” I have no doubt that there could be a Shakespeare in China but serious doubt there would be a Chinese Copernicus—sacrifice life for truth. Traditional Chinese just didn’t enjoy being a dissident.
In one word, Chinese don't care to be cool, they only care not to be uncool; the Occidentals are just opposite.
Reader86
