The Damaskinos Report

As has been widely reported in the press, the head honcho of the Chinese Communist Party in Shanghai has been dismissed for allegations of corruption and embezzlement of state pension funds. The report linked here suggests that "there was no public response" from the former head.

Small wonder. Other press reports suggest that he and others have now been detained by the disciplinary unit of the CCP. Funny how it's not the police or any law enforcement agencies that is detaining the man. Indeed, it appears that the "official" criminal investigation has not even begun. Once again, this is yet another example of the CCP being above the law and above due process.

But that is not the point of this post, interesting though a thorough discussion of the rule of law in China might be. Rather, the present dismissal and detention is a brilliant example of the potential for Chinese politics to be turned into a Reality TV show.

I can immediately hear you say, "but couldn't all politics be treated as Reality TV"? In a sense, that is true. But "politics" in the western sense is no more fun than, say, Survivor or America's Next Top Model or The Apprentice. Like these shows, the winner in western politics gets fame and a prize, whilst the losers are shamed and made to look even more like idiots than the winners. Indeed, in some of these shows, the contestants are a hell of a lot more attractive than western politicians. That's why western politics can never make for good Reality TV relative to other products on the market.

But Chinese politics is different. It's like an ugly men version of "America's Next Top Model" meets a lethal version of "It's a Knockout!". As a contestant, you have to be able to work in teams like a member of "The Apprentice", but at the same time destroy your teammates and opponents alike.

What makes this game unique is not, however, this fact. It is the stakes involved. You win, and you can be the resident bully. You get the money. The houses. Multiple concubines/consorts. The untouchability. You lose, and you'll be in jail for a long time with everything confiscated. That is if you are lucky. If not, you lose your life and you will lose it quickly.

Now then, what if you, as the contestant, want to do the "western politics" thing and play for compromises so that you live moderately happily ever after? Surely you can then enjoy in greater safety but in less extreme forms some of the attributes of a winner in this game? Even if others don't want to compromise, surely you'd only look stupid for trying?

Forget it. You play for compromise; others don't. Others will worry that you will change your mind eventually. Better you lose your life or liberty before you're competitive than for them to lose theirs if you do compete and beat them. Try compromise (as opposed to pretending to compromise) and you will be crushed.

Thus, you only have one option in this game - fight to the death. And fighting with bare knuckles at all times whilst grinning at your opponents.

So there you have it. A game show with a simple, compulsory strategy yet complex manoevres. Blood and guts will always be the fate of losing contestants. This is more ruthless than "The Apprentice", more bloody than boxing, and easier to understand than the complicated games that "Survivor" contestants play.

The show is.... Chinese Politics... come on down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!