Chinese rule of Tibet: Beneficial or not?

On this point we find the two sides are once again on the opposite end of the spectrum. Pro-Tibet supporters claim that Chinese rule has been brutal and oppressive in virtually every area possible. Pro-China supporters will tell you that the Chinese liberated the Tibetans from a cruel feudal system under which the Tibetan peasants were exploited by their greedy landlords.

It is true that Tibetan society was operating under a feudal type system prior to the Chinese Communist invasion of 1950. It is true that there were some monks and landlords who abused and took advantage of the Tibetan people. It is therefore also true that there were abusive practices in the religious establishment and in the land management arena. There were also some abusive government officials. However, it should be noted that the 13th Dalai Lama had begun reforms aimed at eradicating these abuses but unfortunately he died before he was able to finish the job. By the time of the Chinese invasion of 1950, the 14th Dalai Lama was still very young and unable to rule in his own right.

So, the Chinese did in fact rid Tibet of the old feudal system. But was the Communist system that replaced the old Tibetan system any better? Or was it worse? I would have to say worse. Prior to the invasion of 1950 I have seen no evidence of any popular uprisings against the Tibetan government or religious establishment. However, since the Chinese took over there have been three such uprisings, in 1959, 1989 and again in 2008. Many Tibetans have fled into exile to escape Chinese Communist rule, again I have found no evidence of this under the Tibetan regime. I have found evidence of human rights abuses under the Communist Chinese government, for more information please visit the UN website at: http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G06/117/50/PDF/G0611750.pdf?OpenElement
Additionally, in a report on Tibet dated 24 July 1959, The International Commission of Jurists even went so far as to raise the question of genocide. For more information on this please visit the ICJ website at: http://www.icj.org/news.php3?id_article=3430&lang=en If this is not enough evidence, then all one has to do is look into the recent unrest in Tibet to see that something there is not right.

Leaving the Human Rights arena, we have to look at the question of Chinese monetary investment in Tibet. Pro-China supporters will point to the many improvements the Chinese government has made in Tibet, such as roads and railroads. While they have actually made such improvements, the reason why is in question. Was it to benefit the Tibetan people or was it to benefit China? Please refer to my post entitled "The Communist invasion of Tibet" for more information. Based on what I have read it appears that it was for the benefit of China first and then if it also benefited the Tibetans eventually then that was OK too.

In summary, although the Chinese Communists did free the Tibetans from the feudal system they lived under previously, the communist system that replaced it turned out to be worse. Plainly put, Communist rule of Tibet has not been beneficial for the Tibetans.