[meekaaku]

Most people think democracy is necessary for economic development. Taiwan/Singapore/South Korea, were pretty much authoritarian yet developed economically immensely. Democratization came much later.

Well the idea was, adoption of capitalism and economic freedom will eventually lead to political freedom. It did happen that way in many countries, but China is still yet to happen.

[crazybonkersai]

The thing is that you almost need strong authoritarian control to transition society from agrarian to industrial state. You don't achieve that with globalization and open markets, but instead you nurture and develop your industry (which of course developed democratic countries find uncompetitive and undemocratic). Once you get your industry going, you can start opening up both markets and society.

[TheCoelacanth]

I don't think that's at all accurate. Most of the early countries to make that transition had relatively high levels of economic freedom.

[legacynl]

You forget that it was ultimately the people themselves that made those countries have political freedom because they wanted it themselves right.

People knew what autocratic government was like, and couldn't get rid of it soon enough.

If any of you are playing with the idea that autocracy might actually be good for a country; do this thought experiment: instead of thinking your favorite group would wield that power, what if your least favorite group would have that power? Wouldn't you be thankful for the protections that the law gives you in that situation? Taking away the protections of people, means that there's nothing you can do when you get targeted. And in an autocratic society that's just up to a single opinion which you don't control.