In the west we pride ourselves in our individualism – the importance of the one, and enjoy pointing out the inherent inhumanity of societies such as China, which are  based on a collective sense of self.

But what if we have been hardwired to perform most activities within a group? What is closest to human nature? Exercising alone in your house or in groups? Dancing alone? With a partner? Or in groups of hundreds? It can sound kitsch and somehow pathetic – but is it?

Seeing the grandfathers and grandmothers practicing tai chi in groups in Fujin Square in Shanghai, seeing the people exercising in the open in early morning Beijing can shake your certainties…..

Everywhere development – The country which was a giant construction site.

And what if Slavoj Zizek was right?

There are no quiet villages with old people sitting peacefuly by the road, watching people pass by…Everywhere, new damns are being built, new highrises elevated,, roads are expanded…There is no peace to be found in China

 

798 Art Street, Beijing

And what if Slavoj Sizek was right – authoritarian, state capitalism is proving to be the most effective version of capitalism? (it certainly appears to be the case in the last 20 years?) It would mark a big ironic twist to those that proclaim the link between market and parliamentary democracy . But parliamentary democracy is probably an euphemism – essentially (as is increasingly recognized in Greece from all countries) it is Market capitalism Unlimited (its the economy stupid!).Maybe after all the choice is not between authoritarian governments and democratic governments, but between strong states and puppet states.

Migrant workers in China

 

Early morning train Station, Xii’An

Migrant workers: Almost 300 million migrant workers exist in China, moving by bus, by trains to built the new China. They live in hastily made up tents next to construction sites, the die (as they did recently in Tibet) building them. You can recognize them by the bags they carry with all their possessions on the backs. They earn often less than the basic salary.

Σανγκάη – Xian με τραίνο

Από την Σαγκάη νυχτερινό τρένο για Xi’an – αρχαία πρωτεύουσα του Μέσου  Βασίλειου. Ο στρατός από τερακότα του αυτοκράτορα Qin  – 200 πχ. – αυτός  που ενοποίησε την Κίνα, φτιάχνοντας ταυτόχρονα ένα από τα πιο προηγμένα κράτη στον κόσμο..