The posts about revolution, democracy and freedom published by Chinese celebrity writer Han Han in his blog have triggered a lot of controversy. The biggest problem is that Han Han's opinions on revolutions are outdated. Revolution has moved into a new phase and taken forms different from the past.
Take Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, the former Tunisian President and Hosni Mubarak, the former Egyptian President. When both strongmen stepped down thanks to the power of the information age, it shows that revolutions have become mild, instead of bloody as they were in the past.
I'd like to call this phenomenon "soft revolution" and contrast it with reforms. Reforms are initiated by rulers or ruling parties, while revolutions are pressure from ordinary people on rulers or ruling parties.
Past "hard" revolutions were killings and life-or-death struggles. Such revolutions could only have a negative effect in today's China.
Rulers should be more cautious when handling domestic affairs and use more flexible means. Didn't Ben Ali and Mubarak want to continue holding power? Were their characters and morals better than those of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's?
I don't think so. But they had a better knowledge of the general world situation than Gaddafi did. They chose compromise and peacefully handed over their power after repeatedly judging and weighing the situation.
Besides, Han Han ignores one issue: It's both unnecessary and impossible for everyone to participate in revolution or democracy. Even if there are many Chinese people who, in his words, spit on the streets and don't dim their headlights when driving, it will not hinder the power of revolution and the progress of democracy.
Most of the common people are always silent. But when they choose a cause to follow, they are likely to change the history. Given so many potential conflicts, complaints and depression, it's not difficult to find such causes.
Above all, I'm optimistic about China's future prospects. I'm definitely against violent revolutions. And I don't think that violent revolutions will happen in China. But "soft revolution" is likely to happen and will change government, ordinary people and China.
The author is a media commentator based in Beijing. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn