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Democracies are messy institutions that eventually fail. If the Chinese were smart they would look to the Augustus Caesar model of authorianism. Augustus gave a modicum of power to the Roman Senate making them feel like they were part of the decision making process in administering the empire and more importantly freedom of speech to the people so that they felt free enough to vent dissatisfaction when they felt slighted.

They is nothing worse to spread discontent with a regime than to repress people with a heavy hand from venting their emotions about situations. If the regime does not listen let alone respond to complaints about the system..people will grow sullen and uncooperative as they will feel they do not have a stake in the system. That it is not working for their benefit, but is working against them.