That's what policy makers need repressive surveillance tech for (not just in China). You can maintain this level of control only via an Orwellien thought police & intrusive surveillance and SmartCities¹ tech.

¹ https://twitter.com/ValbonneConsult/status/96949469861953126...

I have a feeling you have China and its citizens in mind when making this comment, but an equally plausible scenario is when Western economies begin to fail due to China's dominance of every industry and it is the West who's citizens are hungry. I wonder if maybe the prospect of joining the Chinese family might look very attractive at that point....sure, you'd have to give up just a few minor freedoms, but in exchange for peace and prosperity as citizens of China enjoy.

And that is how China can take over the world without firing a single shot.

Laugh now, but let's revisit this idea ten years from now and see if you're still laughing.

Democratic countries have an escape valve, we can vote in another government, and we almost always do after a crisis.

Democracies don't have famines.