These state workers earn very low wages. Much of their compensation is in the form of subsidized housing, health care, child care, food, clothing, and education. State workers' reliance on these benefits greatly increases the government's power over them. Individuals in China who depend on the state for basic necessities are generally loathe to criticize the government or otherwise incur its wrath. Increased private ownership and employment in China will break this pattern of dependence, and will do much to loosen the government's grip on its citizens.
Civil society offers a check on government and forms the bedrock of political democracy.
As independent institutions become more important in China, the state will inevitably cede some power to them. Such a development will be a far stronger vehicle to foster other individual rights than any other alternative of which I am aware. The PNTR bill the Senate approved this week makes sense for our economy. It is also the best thing that we can do to aid the growth of democracy and freedom in China. Congress did the right thing by passing this historic legislation.