Hefei Expat - China
Living Here => News and Updates => Topic started by: bao luo on October 10, 2015, 01:45:17 am
-
I'm sure this article is gonna spark some interest.
http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/big-brother-ranking-for-all-how-would-your-life-rate/story-fnixwvgh-1227563099683
-
I posted this on FaceBook in a reply to an old friend posting a similar article written by the ACLU explain how 'Orwellian' it is and how 'We' should all be thankful America is nothing like China.
This is a joke. I don't imagine many Chinese caring about this system at all. I do know that China wants to increase access to consumer credit as a means to bolster domestic demand, but I'm not sure this will be its final form. Think about it this way: you think Ai Wei Wei cares about his score? He'll wear his low score as a badge as honour same with those with high score.
Also, it's interesting reading the details. Basically, it's a score measuring how well you conform to the rules and laws of China. It's a measure of overall trustworthiness. So, say for example you sold fake meat. Your 'Credit Score' would go down. I can look at your 'Credit Score' and say 'Well, that guy is a dubious character. He might be selling me fake meat. But that guy over there, he has a high 'Credit Score' I can trust him!'
And, it's actually funny. Part of the law states:
"The main problems that exist include: a credit investigation system that covers all of society has not yet been formed, credit records of the members of society are gravely flawed, incentive mechanisms to encourage keeping trust and punishments for breaking trust are incomplete, trust-keeping is insufficiently reward, the costs of breaking trust tend to be low; credit services markets are not developed, service systems are immature, there are no norms for service activities, the credibility of service bodies is insufficient, and the mechanisms to protect the rights and interests of credit information subjects are flawed; the social consciousness of sincerity and credit levels tend to be low, and a social atmosphere in which agreements are honoured and trust are honestly kept has not yet been shaped, especially grave production safety accidents, food and drug security incidents happen from time to time, commercial swindles, production and sales of counterfeit products, tax evasion, fraudulent financial claims, academic impropriety and other such phenomena cannot be stopped in spite of repeated bans, there is still a certain difference between the extent of sincerity in government affairs and judicial credibility, and the expectations of the popular masses."
Basically, the Chinese government is saying 'Okay, we suck at preventing things like Tianjin, and ensuring food safety, and basically protecting our citizens from bad business practices and people acting unethical. So, we're going to reward and punish our citizens for doing the governments job.' My point being this:
Is it Orwellian to create a system with the goal of citizens policing themselves into 'proper' and 'ethical' behavior?
Granted, the ACLU makes a legit argument about the Stasi trying to create dissent to arrest you, which in turned created 'ethical' behavior of not criticising the government. But, this isn't the point to this Chinese law. Granted it could, and this is what the West fears, but living in China, I can tell you, this isn't the point of this law at all. Because, the Chinese government isn't saying you cannot. It's saying 'There is a cost to disagreeing with the status quo. It's your choice!'
Now, I think that's the more important point. Should there be a cost to disagreeing with the status quo? And if so, what should it be? I think being arrested and imprisoned is a little extreme. And honestly, this is what many Human Rights Activists harp on China for. But let's suppose China never arrests a political dissident again, but only punishes them through their 'Credit Score' will Human Rights Activists claim China is violating Human Rights?
To me, it seems like a middle ground for China. Promote 'Good Behavior' discourage 'Bad Behavior' and minimize outcry from Human Rights Activists. Hell, China could actively encourage free speech with the caveat that any free speech that isn't 'party approved' may hurt your 'Credit Score'.