The West has failed: Martin Jacques
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“The West has failed,” British scholar and political commentator Martin Jacques tweeted on Monday, adding without a vaccine, the West has shown that it cannot deal with the virus and it is losing the battle.

He said that the success of East Asia, with China at its heart, has many explanations including: competent and strategic government, great respect amongst the people for government and authority, and deep commitment to society and social bonds rather than selfish individualism.

“It is no use simply putting the West's plight down to bad luck or an unpredictable disaster,” he added, noting that the greatest test of government and societies is their ability to deal with disasters, be they war or pandemics, and it is clear that Western societies fundamentally lack resilience.

He pointed it out that Western governments have failed miserably at being single-minded about the priority of eliminating the virus. They have failed to think strategically and to give leadership.

He also thinks the people of the West lack the kind of social discipline and social respect that is essential.

(Compiled by Ni Tao)