Less. If everyone can say what they want, people can ignore most of it. If someone is locked up or killed for what she said, other people start thinking what she said might be important.
A few other people who heard about it. Most people will believe the only thing they hear, which is what the government tells them. Or if they don’t believe it, they don’t know the extent of skepticism in others and can’t organize without fear of being turned in by a collaborator. So they have to put up with it.
Sometimes people are able to protest things in China, but mostly at the local level. If the national government thinks they can solidify support by arresting a few unpopular local leaders, they’ll do that from time to time if the popular outrage is strong enough.
Less. If everyone can say what they want, people can ignore most of it. If someone is locked up or killed for what she said, other people start thinking what she said might be important.
I don’t think the conclusion is correct but that’s a fascinating perspective.
A few other people who heard about it. Most people will believe the only thing they hear, which is what the government tells them. Or if they don’t believe it, they don’t know the extent of skepticism in others and can’t organize without fear of being turned in by a collaborator. So they have to put up with it.
Sometimes people are able to protest things in China, but mostly at the local level. If the national government thinks they can solidify support by arresting a few unpopular local leaders, they’ll do that from time to time if the popular outrage is strong enough.