Journalist Dexter Roberts on the myth of Chinese capitalism, and how that myth could resonate in Montana
Release Date: 03/10/2020
Shared State
Montana Lowdown
From what it means to be a “real Montanan,” to voter access, to public land, to rugged individualism, Shared State will bridge history, politics, and the daily reality of Montanans as we approach a landmark election.
info_outline
Uphill Part 2: “This is like dust in the air. We all breathe it.”
Montana Lowdown
In part 2 of Uphill, reporter Mara Silvers examines how community groups in various towns across Montana are pushing local governments to invest in social programs rather than policing, how organizers are calling on businesses to implement anti-racist policies and practices, and how some are even collecting bail funds for people in county jails and detention centers.
info_outline
Uphill Part 1: “Does anyone know who’s watching us right now?”
Montana Lowdown
In the wake of George Floyd’s killing by police in Minneapolis, Black Lives Matter protests have surged across the country.
info_outline
2020 primary results, and a preview of the path to November
Montana Lowdown
Our panel of elections reporters looks at the results of the 2020 primary election, and offer a preview of the nominees’ path to November.
info_outline
Republican factions battle for control of the state legislature
Montana Lowdown
Montana Free Press reporters Mara Silvers and Eric Dietrich and freelance reporter Alex Sakariassen join Editor-in-Chief John S. Adams to discuss Montana's June 2 primary election and what the results could mean for the 2021 Montana Legislature.
info_outline
Republican candidate for governor Greg Gianforte
Montana Lowdown
Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte discusses his vision for rebooting the Montana economy, his record in the U.S. Congress, and addresses notable criticisms.
info_outline
Democratic Senate candidate John Mues
Montana Lowdown
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate John Mues makes a progressive pitch to voters on energy and the economy, and criticizes his primary opponent — and presumptive Democratic nominee — Gov. Steve Bullock for a lack of details on his own political positions.
info_outline
Republican U.S. House candidate Matt Rosendale
Montana Lowdown
Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Matt Rosendale talks about his response to the coronavirus pandemic, his opposition to the ACA, his support for President Donald Trump, and why he believes he’s the best Republican candidate for Montana’s sole seat in the U.S. House. Rosendale also responds to past criticisms he’s received from both Republicans and Democrats.
info_outline
Unpacking the polling on pandemic recovery and Montana’s senate race
Montana Lowdown
We unpack the results of recent polling on the pandemic, the recovery, and their implications for Montana’s senate race, with Dr. David Parker of Montana State University and Mike Dennison, Chief Political Reporter for the Montana Television Network.
info_outline
Democratic candidate for governor Mike Cooney
Montana Lowdown
Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney points to prior victory over Greg Gianforte and the need for experienced leadership during pandemic recovery in presenting his case for the Democratic nomination for governor of Montana.
info_outlineAs financial markets reel amidst the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, journalist Dexter Roberts is looking to the Chinese economy for signs of things to come.
Roberts is an award-winning journalist who spent more than 20 years reporting from Beijing, where he served as the China bureau chief and Asia News Editor at Bloomberg Businessweek. A Montana native, Roberts’ journalistic career spanned a period of rapid transformation and explosive economic growth in China, during which he reported on the country’s economy, politics, agriculture, and more.
Roberts, who now serves as a fellow at the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana, is promoting his new book, The Myth Of Chinese Capitalism: The Worker, the Factory, and the Future of the World. The book makes the case that Chinese policies are actually restricting economic growth and contributing to widening class disparity.
“The myth, in sort of a nutshell, is that China is on an inexorable path toward a vastly expanded middle class,” Roberts tells Montana Free Press founder John S. Adams. But the economic reality doesn’t support that popular narrative, according to Roberts, who argues that “China is getting old before it gets rich,” and that the country is “relegating close to half [its] population to second-class status.”
Roberts also sees compounding problems in the country’s initial response to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, telling Adams that, on the heels of President Donald Trump’s trade wars, the outbreak has the potential to upend the world economy for the foreseeable future. And he anticipates that the tumult could be felt here in Montana.
“For a state like Montana, which has a large reliance on agriculture, there is a very obvious fit with China’s growth,” Roberts says. “I would be ready for the potential of real disruption in the economy going forward.”
Roberts’ conversation with Adams is featured in the latest episode of the Montana Lowdown podcast, a weekly publication of Montana Free Press.