> China did not make an "autocratic bargain" with its people

For a good review: https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/10/05/chinas-authoritarian-m...

Shangahi went from a dusty fishing village to one of the largest, most populous metropolises in <50years.

> Democracy and Liberalism are offshoots of Christian culture

cmon, democracy as a word should tell you that is not be true. Earliest is probably Greek, about 500 BC. Notably, this is before Christian culture existed, unless you want to talk about the "borrowing" from older religions.

> China flirted briefly with liberalism and democracy

Otherwise known as the Chinese Civil War :)

> China, a fairly insular culture

Modern China, 90% Han Chinese. Han were not always on top, notably China was ruled by outsiders (most famously the Qing imo), but also Liao, Jin, Yuan dynasties. Phrase is "conquest dynasty".