Tuesday, August 12, 2008 Seares: A hundred flowers By Pachico A. Seares News Sense
“Let a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend.”
— Mao Tse-tung, in a 1957 speech
IN A 1957 speech, the late Chinese leader, a.k.a. Mao Ze-dong, urged his nation to express views that clashed with the stand of the ruling party in People’s Republic of China.
What came close to a climate of freedom followed Mao’s policy address. But it was short-lived. Repression resumed and a reign of terror filled the rest of the period of Cultural Revolution.
So much for flirting with democracy. Even as China now basks in the glory of hosting the Olympic Games, some dark shadows are spoiling China’s “coming-out” party.
US president George W. Bush flogged China’s human rights record as he ogled at US women’s volleyball players practicing for the Games.
Mao Ze-dong exaggerated the value of a hundred schools of thought competing in the marketplace.
Diverse and apart, ideas can do little harm. But when they polarize and become one strong view to challenge the controlling party stand, it can be as powerful as artillery fire.
Limiting access
Same thing with debates on political issues in a democracy like ours. Administrations make a show of encouraging trade of views but they resent ideas that expose their own as selfish and deceptive.
They don’t cripple the media and other public forums. But they deny or limit access to information, thus impeding its flow and impairing debate.
Until now, the public knows little about the aborted government deal with the MILF carving off a separate state.
A hundred flowers and the schools of thought they bring die even before they can bloom.
