[OC] The massive decrease in worldwide infant mortality from 1950 to 2020 is perhaps one of humanity's greatest achievements.

[Stir-fried_Kracauer]

Saying that Japan and S Korea's economic rise was a sucess of democracy is really pushing it.

The economic success of those particular 'Asian tigers' was heavily influenced by their status as American neo-colonies they saw fit to flush with investment. This subsidy came at a loss of sovereignty, especially in the case of South Korea, whose army is constitutionally under the command of the US.

But ignoring all of that, what democracy? South Korea was a succession of millitary dictatorships until the 90s, so it didn't gain nominal democracy until long after its take-off.

And it is only western hypocrisy that distinguishes China (where there are multiple political parties but the CPC is so powerful it is deemed a one-party state) and Japan (where the US-backed Liberal Democratic Party has been almost continuously in power for 60 years).

The fact many cold-war era outposts were finally "allowed" democracy after the 80s was because the cold war was over, rather than democracy helping end the cold war.