[Oldexpat]

In my dealings with the Chinese, all over Asia, over the last 40 years, I would say that a lot of Chinese would say the same thing. They prefer a benevolent dictator to all out democracy. Many of them say that the Chinese are so individualistic and need some outside discipline. Complex subject that I have discussed with Chinese in all types of situations..and degrees of freedom..from PRC, Taiwan, HKG and Singapore.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

I have seen this myself as well with Russians, who through centuries of rule by either Mongol Khans and Russian Tsars, psychologically need a "strong man" at the head of the country like Stalin or Putin. They accept nothing else, even if its means a brutal dictatorship

The Chinese are the same way, with their pantheon of emperors and warlords ruling the country for thousands of years, before Mao moved into the role.