Authoritarianism’s Past and Future — Is there room for ordinary people’s voices?

80 years since World War II ended. China held a big military parade. President Xi stood with Putin and Kim, two leaders with strong control.

They showed new weapons like fast missiles and drones with nukes. Xi said,
“Our army will build a top-level force and protect our country’s unity and land.”
He said many times “The great revival of the Chinese nation.”

This means China wants Taiwan to be part of the country. Experts say, “China is ready to protect Taiwan.”
But many people in Taiwan do not accept this story.

A Taiwan student likes Japanese idols. He said, “I want to work in Japan and maybe marry a Japanese person.” Many young people like Japanese and Korean pop culture. They enjoy freedom and prosperity in their democracy.

In Taiwan, men aged 18 to 36 must serve in the army. The service was extended from 4 months to 1 year in 2024. After that, they must stay in reserve for 8 years and fight at the front if needed.

It has been reported that many Chinese Communist Party leaders speak about communist ideology, but have family members living in Western democracies. They are said to keep money in different places to stay safe and give their children good education. These rich kids, called “Princelings,” “Red Second Generation,” or “Second Generation Officials,” are unlikely to fight at the front. They build wealth across borders.

Isn’t there a contradiction?
If they are parents, we hope they avoid useless wars.

🌱 Three important questions:

1. How to understand the clash of authoritarianism and democracy? Should countries talk, stop each other, or find new ways?

2. Do past wars and history teaching make peace or just more revenge? How to update old ways like UN system?

3. Who wins and loses in wars? Can war really be fair when young people suffer?

  👉 We are not just passing history. We stand at a choice to repeat mistakes or not.