The middle way

I have so much respect for the efforts of the Tibetan government to avoid armed conflict.  But I also wonder how do you fight the insanity of cultural and political repression without the insanity of armed uprising?

"The Dalai Lama’s middle way depends on China democratizing,” Mr. Norbu said while unwinding early Thursday evening in his cottage. “That premise has so far not materialized in any way and has even gotten worse.”

An independence movement, he said, would unite the exile community, keep Tibet in the headlines and increase pressure on the Chinese government. Supporters would organize economic boycotts of China. Young Tibetans in the West would go door to door explaining the cause.

“It’s a kind of peaceful guerrilla warfare,” he said.

Lobsang Sangay, at Harvard, said he took a survey of his 34-person committee after he was elected chairman. The members were divided 40 percent for independence, 40 percent for autonomy and the rest in the middle. “They’re the swing voters, like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida,” he said of the last group.

For his part, Mr. Sangay, who has organized six conferences between Tibetans and Chinese scholars, said he still supports dialogue.

“There’s no basis for optimism where China is concerned, but I’m always hopeful that the good conscience of the people will come out,” he said. “If you choose nonviolence, the only path you’re left with is dialogue.”