In a singularly inspired column, Nick Kristof (who previously explained that the Iranian regime isn't nearly as bad as it's made out to be) argues that "the Communist Party signed its own death warrent" at Tiananmen Square fifteen years ago. "Political pluralism has not arrived yet," he acknowledges, "but economic, social, and cultural pluralism has." The same market forces that have transformed China "would also help transform Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Burma, if only we would unleash them."
And now for the big question:
"So when will political change come to China? I don't have a clue, but it could come at any time ..."
Well, yes, and so could the Messiah. But free trade would transform Cuba, North Korea, and Iran into nuclear powers, and I don't even want to think about what that would unleash.
