Unfortunately, you cannot have "stability" nor "prosperity" if the only means is to suppressing people's complaints away. It would be interesting to observe how China is doing in the next decades. As a Chinese and an outsider, the suppression looks real with each passing day (HK is miles better than anywhere in mainland, let's be clear about that).
I agree with you, but that is how the situation will be sold.
"Go the Chinese way and you do not have to worry about nosy journalists and unexpected election losses. Rule at your will and be respected, or at least feared, by everyone underneath. And provide those subject with enough material comfort to become a bit complacent and afraid to shake up things."
