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HalMorris comments on Politics Discussion Thread January 2013 - Less Wrong
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In a successful democracy, there is a process for electing the members of the government that appears, based on the past track record, to work.
If China has done any things right historically, perhaps it is education, and the cultivation of a disciplined workforce, and maybe a communication system that reaches into every village, and maybe these things are really quite big, esp. when combined with good natural resources.
China seems to have reasonably responsible leaders at the top for the moment, maybe because the most extravagant examples of corruptness at that level would give competitors a lever for bringing down such officials.
What is there that can conceivably be copied? Should any country imitate their historical route, hoping that it would (eventually) lead to the current more or less "good" outcome? I can't believe anyone would think that.
The US didn't had an engineer as president since Herbert Hoover. China is currently run by Hu Jintao who studied hydraulic engineering. The president before Hu, Jiang Zemin got a degree in electrical engineering. China's current vice president studied chemical engineering.
Having more people with science and engineering backgrounds into political leadership positions seem like a good idea.
I'm not convinced.
In authoritarian countries, hi..storically, engining and science has provided some of the best independent thinkers.
In the US, I think we need much better education in science and engineering, including an appreciation for scientific thought processes and scientific culture -- not necessarily engineers in the White House, but somebody there who appreciates engineers and science.
And yet, it is the US that tends to be ahead of authoritarian countries in science and technology.