Reader question:
Please explain “knockoff” in this headline: “Why ‘state capitalism’ is China’s biggest knockoff” (Enter the Dragon, by John Cassidy, New Yorker.com, December 10, 2010).
My comments:
Knockoff is a colloquialism for a counterfeit, a copy of the original product.
Usually a copy of the original without permission, hence intellectual property violations.
And a knockoff is usually much cheaper than the original, which is why it’s appealing to the average customer. An original Rolex watch worn, for example, by tennis player Roger Federer, who speaks for the luxury brand, may cost up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the Beijing street, however, you may have a counterfeit Rolex for 100 kuai. Here, of course, bargaining is also key. The watch may have a list price for 500 kuai, but if you’re good at bargaining, you may have it for 100 or less. That means you’ve knocked (reduced) 400 kuai or more off its list price.
Yes, you can use “knock off” as a verbal phrase.
Back to China’s “state capitalism”.
In the New Yorker piece, staff writer John Cassidy argues that “state capitalism” is not a Chinese invention. Far from it – it’s just another one of those things China has successfully copied from the West, in exactly the same way that local vendors have made copies of Rolex watches and in the same way Fujian’s shoemakers have churned out NKIE (people easily mistaking it for NIKE) sneakers.
Cassidy goes on to argue, the way I see it at any rate, that since “state capitalism” (which involves heavy government intervention and support for key industries) is not China’s invention (Britain, America, Germany and Japan have all done it), then perhaps Westerners should not regard China’s “authoritarian model” as something so Chinese, evil and threatening. In Cassidy’s own words:
“Far from subverting the Western way of doing business, the developing world is, at last, stealing some of its tricks.”
Mr. Cassidy continues to contend that instead of viewing China as a threat and enemy, the West, and America in particular, should embrace China as an indispensible partner. Again, in Cassidy’s words:
From its vast purchases of Treasury bonds to its central role in lowering the cost of many consumer goods, China is an invaluable trade partner of the United States, and should be treated as such rather than as a potential enemy. This is an issue where fairness and self-interest come together. In its leader this week, the Economist says: “The best way to turn China into an opponent is to treat it as one.” Amen to that!
True, China’s economic model is nothing new even though it’s officially called capitalism with Chinese characteristics.
Oops! Chinese socialism with capitalistic characteristics.
Oops – Let’s try it again, socialism with Chinese characteristics!
That’s it. Well, you know what I mean. Whatever they may call it, you will understand so long as you maintain a good sense of balance (and irony). And while I support Cassidy’s assessment in general (the fact that it’s a rarity to read a fair-minded piece in the Western media about China makes one inclined to be supportive of a piece such as Dassidy’s), I feel like adding that, intellectual property considerations aside, the “state” in “state capitalism” is not the root of all evil, be it German or Japanese, British or American.
The evil lies instead in “capitalism”.
But that’s not an argument Cassidy cares to make, of course and I don’t blame him. The evils of capitalism is simply not an “in” topic today anywhere, neither here nor in America.
上一篇: Kicked upstairs?
下一篇: Moving in quicksand?
体坛英语资讯:Liu starts from scratch to prepare for 2008
体坛英语资讯:Brazil wins right to host 2014 World Cup
体坛英语资讯:Chinese lead table tennis qualifiers for Beijing
体坛英语资讯:England fails to qualify for Euro 2008
体坛英语资讯:Chang breaks with Peng but still wants to help China
体坛英语资讯:Did Yi get an All-Star snub?
体坛英语资讯:Vintage Federer wins fourth Masters Cup
体坛英语资讯:US rely on home advantage against Russia
体坛英语资讯:Yao for MVP already?
体坛英语资讯:Beijing preparing for ATP 500 Series tour in 2009
体坛英语资讯:China names Frances Elisabeth as coach
体坛英语资讯:Xing Huina Redemption: Marathoner looks to US coach for second chance
体坛英语资讯:Totti denies considering Italy return
体坛英语资讯:Davydenko left out of Davis Cup final singles
体坛英语资讯:Federers stomach bug gives rivals a lift
体坛英语资讯:Chinas Li Na makes strong start to season
体坛英语资讯:CBA struggling to find TV audience
体坛英语资讯:French drive plus local nous to revive women
体坛英语资讯:Yao-Yi matchup could set ratings records
体坛英语资讯:Nadal the latest upset at Masters Cup
体坛英语资讯:Federer wins clash of titans
体坛英语资讯:Pairs skaters challenged by system
体坛英语资讯:McClaren: Successor will benefit from my flop
体坛英语资讯:Federer back on track, Roddick into semis
体坛英语资讯:Nadal reaches Shanghai semis with Ferrers help
体坛英语资讯:Chinas Yi takes NBA rookie honour
体坛英语资讯:We are one big happy family
体坛英语资讯:Gonzalez stuns Federer in round-robin in Shanghai
体坛英语资讯:Hingis dope tests may never be revealed
体坛英语资讯:Nothing guaranteed in group of death