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Nixon Rising
Aug 15th, 2008 by admin
By: Kenneth D. Gartrell
I know this will be an unpopular thing to say for all of my friends on the left in American politics (and in some cases just plain leftovers, among the radicals of the 60’s). That said, as we watch the Olympics and get a powerful insight into the good and the bad of China today, the one thing we cannot deny is the economic rise and social awakening of China in the 21st century. Approached with an open mind, this great awakening will likely govern the history of the 21st century, and accordingly this outcome may then rewrite the history of the 20thcentury and likely with it, the stature of Richard Nixon.
The rise of China in its trek to free markets (and inexorably to democracy) will likely be the single greatest thing for world peace and American growth – ever. We cannot realistically deny there is already a changing focus of history and, interestingly, the facts could change the whole subject of Nixon’s greatness. Rather than being relegated to the list of failed Presidents, Richard Nixon now seems to me to be an odds-on favorite to win the all-time prize for what George H.W. Bush once ridiculed as “the vision thing.”
The only real remaining question will be the degree of democratization and free capital market adaptation to replace central planning in China. If that happens at the same measured rate as the last 25-year conversion along the “Road from Serfdom,” there will be no doubt left of Nixon’s great vision.
The rise of China in the 21st century could make Nixon the greatest President of the 20th century – especially post World War II. There is even a chance that Nixon will be seen in the 21st century as the architect of the 21st century. No other President in U.S. history could claim for his resume the shaping of an entire century of US history – let alone World history.
In his decision on the matter of the 1972 opening to China, we can see why an opera was created to commemorate the event. History may come to see the highly tense and fully visible handshake with Chairman Mao as the result of the greatest single vision ever advanced by a President of the United States. Bigger than the Great Society, the Man on the Moon, the New Deal, the Emancipation Proclamation or the Louisiana Purchase.
The raw potential of the economic freedom of China which started in those tension filled days of 1972, is cleanly staggering to the thinking and analytical mind. It is fair, in fact, to challenge anyone to think of anything bigger for overall American interests than 1.2 billion friendly consumers in an emerging and stable democracy. The wheels of change are clearly in motion. All you have to believe is that free markets require democratic political freedom to realize the full benefit of free markets.
The only question seems to be the degree and rate of democratization which will replace the central planning system in China. If the conversion can be accomplished early in the 21st century, as appears likely, Nixon’s Presidential stock value will soar to levels well above any other President in U.S. history. Indeed, in relative economic terms, we are talking about visions that exceed those of Alexander, Caesar and Bonaparte.
Nixon In China - A Turning Point in World History
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Your treatment of China as an opportunity (rather than a threat) is exactly correct and appropriate. So often politicians seek to “punish” other nations with sanctions that eliminate all ‘gains from trade’ for both the targeted nation and the United States. I’m not speaking only of Iran and Cuba. Consider, as I know you have, the potential damage to the world’s poor from Obama’s proposed rollbacks of NAFTA and the rewriting of Free-Trade Agreements.
With the facts in front of us in the form of Chinese prosperity and growth, we can comfortably set aside meaningless character speculation and view Nixon through an objective lens. And thusly, isn’t it revealing that a man continually painted as a bigot was, in objective reality, a great visionary and agent for real and measurable progress (read CHANGE). And meanwhile, Obama and other populist “liberals,” who seek to eliminate poor countries’ access to the American market and labor opportunities, are arrogantly poised as defenders of the little man. Nixon will have contributed to the survival, wealth and perhaps eventually the personal freedom of millions (across borders) while Obama, if all goes according to plan, stands to rollback liberty and prosperity for many more.
Correct…
It is childish and ridiculous to think any other way.
And we should all think about the positive impact on the entire world when the US Economy can grow at the same 5% per annum as the Chinese economy. The gains to trade could easily lead to peace and prosperity in Africa, democracy and free markets in Central America and someday way down the road, the rise of a moderate and powerful Islam.
Economic development is a much better solution to US immigration problems. The key insight is that while the US cannot force democracy elsewhere in the world, it can reject Communism in the organization if it’s own social and economic systems fully and unleash the power of trade and capitalism for the benefit of the whole world.
It is a much better strategy than costly wars — which are poor substitutes for trade. Unfortunately, wars like the Iraq War and the likely Iran War on the way, are due to crippling taxes and socialistic domestic regulations in force in the USA today and on the rise again since 1998.
What you say of Nixon and his handshake with Mao is, in my view, a good indication of your own vision– and of the positive outcome possible if China becomes a democracy and America remains one.
My own appreciation of Nixon is based on his closing of the gold window and freeing mankind (especially Americans) of the curse of gold that existed until he acted.
I have not yet figured out the way your site might work if people have something to say to each other and beyond.
You seem for comments from strangers to have zero post-send editing capability.
Amazon has great capability along that line. As does wikispaces.com
If we approach each others “facts” and theories we may contribute some useful thought. Have you thought of the fact that price data is terribly weak, compared to hard and social science. Prediction is impossible because price data reflects billions of wrong answers on value and price– and only rarely finds a practical use. Price data is dead on arrival– if you want to know tomorrows price.