The recent announcement that China was “firing” its health minister and mayor of Beijing gave me pause over the issue of politicians who prefer to think of citizens as customers, with the implication that government should be run like a business.

The interesting thing is that the idea may now be taking root more in China. I have heard the idea that China’s goal is to have capitalism without democracy, while many in the U.S. believe that capitalism will naturally lead to democracy (or, if you’re an Ayn Randian, capitalism is democracy). By firing some of its upper-level employees (yes, employees, not public servants) China is demonstrating that it is possible to have capitalism without democracy.

Rupert Murdoch seems to agree. Here’s a quote from him I pulled from The Elements of Journalism:

Singapre is not liberal, but it’s clean and free of drug addicts. Not so long ago it was an impovrished, exploited colony with famines, diseases, and other problems. Now people find themselves in three-room apartments with jobs and clean streets. Material incentives create business and the free market economy. If politicians try it the other way around with democracy, the Russian model is the result. Ninety percent of the Chinese are interested more in a better material life than in the right to vote.

Things that make you go “hmm….”