This article is highly developed, and could mainly be further advanced by proof-reading, bringing in more pro/con resources to quote, and by opening a pro/con videos section.
The question Tibet's status vis a vis China has been a major international political debate ever since the Chinese government occupied the territory in 1949. Many individuals call for independence while the Chinese government typically advocates for the status quo of fairly centralized Chinese government control. The Dalai Lama proposes the "Middle Way" between these extremes. This would see a greater level of autonomy for Tibet, while allowing for continued Chinese national sovereign authority over Tibet. Below is the Central Tibetan Administration's proposal, which reflects the views of the Dalai Lama.
The Middle-Way Approach is proposed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to peacefully resolve the issue of Tibet and to bring about stability and co-existence between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples based on equality and mutual co-operation. It is also a policy adopted democratically by the Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan people through a series of discussions held over a long time. This brief introduction to the Middle-Way policy and its history is intended for the Tibetan people inside and outside Tibet-and all those interested-to have a better understanding of the issues involved.
E. Important Components of the Middle-Way Approach
Without seeking independence for Tibet, the Central Tibetan Administration strives for the creation of a political entity comprising the three traditional provinces of Tibet;
Such an entity should enjoy a status of genuine national regional autonomy;
This autonomy should be governed by the popularly-elected legislature and executive through a democratic process and should have an independent judicial system;
As soon as the above status is agreed upon by the Chinese government, Tibet would not seek separation from, and remain within, the Peoples Republic of China;
Until the time Tibet is transformed into a zone of peace and non-violence, the Chinese government can keep a limited number of armed forces in Tibet for its protection;
The Central Government of the Peoples Republic of China has the responsibility for the political aspects of Tibets international relations and defence, whereas the Tibetan people should manage all other affairs pertaining to Tibet, such as religion and culture, education, economy, health, ecological and environmental protection;
The Chinese government should stop its policy of human rights violations in Tibet and the transfer of Chinese population into Tibetan areas;
To resolve the issue of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama shall take the main responsibility of sincerely pursuing negotiations and reconciliation with the Chinese government."
Dalai Lama is the only solution for Tibet His political advocacy as a leader and religious figure is imperative for the problem of Tibet. His commitment for non violence and cohabitation and cooperation serves the peaceful interests of Tibet while accommodating for moderate changes. His "Middle Way"platform is teh bridge between China Tibet and world wide international consensus of the Tibetans' right to self determination.
Dalai Lama is the symbol of an on going Tibet struggle Tibet's struggle is the expression of a collective and ongoing desire for freedom.Dalai Lama is the front figure on the international stage of that struggle.He is the carrier of the Tibetans' message of freedom and non violence. His advocacy is the symbol of their struggle.
Dalai Lama is comitted to amity between Tibetans and ChineseIn NEWSWEEK interview Dalai Lama publicly expressed his commitement t o peaceful cohabitation between the Chinese People. He hopes a common shared Buddhist cultural heritage will help The Chinese regain certain moral values that would enhance more cooperation.
Dalai Lama targets his struggle against the Chinese Government's oppression , not against its people The Dalai Lama made it publicly explicit that the struggle the Tibetan people have is with the Chinese authorities and its representatives and not with the Chinese population.He continues to advocate non violent protests to determine the Chinese Government to protect the right of the Tibetan People to self determination.
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The Dalai Lama is out of the picture. Lhagyal Tsering, a teacher in Dharamshala - "We are demanding a peace dialogue between His Holiness and the Chinese. But at the moment, Dalai Lama is out of the picture. It's a Tibetan people's movement."[1]
Tibet has moved beyond the "Middle Way" For the new generation Tibetans the Middle Way is considered to be an ineffective way of demanding rights and equality. They seek independence and believe that more militant tactics such as what the Palestinian militants are undertaking will prove more fruitful than the non violence advocacy of Dalai Lama. They consider the wait towards self determination has been too long and that it is imperative to move beyond the "Middle Way"
The Chinese government tries to discredit Dalai Lama Attempts to discredit Dalai Lama were publicly made by releasing a documentary portraying the Tibetan people as used by Dalai Lama political agenda .It also emphasizes the welfare and happiness the Chinese Government brought to Tibet , These political gestures are attempts to specifically discredit the validity of Dalai Lama's claims and its authenticity.These gestures also aim at portraying a violent behavior that protesters "appear to have" under the guidance of Dalai Lama's advocacy
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Middle Way vs Independence: Is the Middle Way a better solution for Tibet?
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Yes
Dalai Lama believes independence is not the solution for Tibet His advocacy aims to a future of common understanding between the Chinese and the Tibetans. he points to the model of the European Union as to a model o a modern cooperative system in which different ethnicities and nationalities can cooperate for a prosperous common development.
The "Middle Way" is a practical political course of action It can been seen as a very practical course of action as it it bridges the needs of Tibetan people with the interets of China.Acceptance of such course will demonstrate the growth in openness that China has undergone and it will also send a positive signal to the Western world.As it is beneficial for both parties it can can be considered as a practical political course with a great potential to alleviate an ever growing strained situation.
The "Middle Way" bridges Chinese and Tibetan interests The "Middle Way" offers a mutually beneficial course of action as it avoids the concerns that Chin has regarding national unity and separation and at the same time it leads the Tibetan people to a de-facto achievement of their right to self-determination.
"Middle Way" in Tibet adopts Buddhist "Middle Way" (non-extremism)Wikipedia: "Middle Way" - "In general, the Middle Way or Middle Path (Sanskrit: madhyamā-pratipad; Pali: majjhimā paṭipadā)[1] is the Buddhist practice of non-extremism. More specifically, in Theravada Buddhism's Pali Canon, the Middle Way crystallizes the Buddha's Nirvana-bound path of moderation away from the extremes of sensual indulgence and self-mortification and toward the practice of wisdom, morality and mental cultivation." The "Middle Way" in Tibet is designed, per its name, around these Buddhist principles. To break from the Middle Way in Tibet would be to break from these Buddhist principles. Buddhist Tibetans should not break from these principles.
Greater autonomy for Tibet is more realistic than independence. Some point to China's claim that Tibet is already "autonomous" as some kind of a sign that greater autonomy is impossible and that independence is, therefore, more feasible. This is not the case. Tibet is, in fact, not very autonomous. China could provide it with much greater autonomy without risking too much. This is certainly something China would be more willing to concede than full independence.
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The "Middle Way" is nothing different from the current situation Although theoretically the "Middle Way" proposition sounds as a great solution for bridging two conflicting interests it is practically no different than the current stage of autonomy that Tibet has. The background in terms of political events that led to a proposition of a "Middle Way" shed more light into the fact that his strategy is just a new name on the board for the same as the provisions currently existing within the PRC constitution.
The "Middle Way" is just a front for seeking Tibetan independence In previous public speeches the Dalai Lama expressed his wish that Tibet continue to seek its independence.In numerous occasions his choice of words helped deliver the explicit message of a desire for Tibetan independence. His new course of action the "Middle Way ' can only be seen in light of his previous messages and it can be easily concluded that it is just a front cover that is better accepted by the international community that a clear demand for independence.
If Tibetans accept autonomy, they will close the door to independence in the future.Tsoltim N. Shakabpa. "The case againts autonomy for Tibet". January 14, 2008 - "Communist Chinese for an official agreement to have autonomous status for Tibet, we will be surrendering many of the rights we are now entitled to[...]"and locking ourselves into a constricted and precarious situation forever from which we cannot withdraw."
Popular Support : Do the people of Tibet favor the " Middle Way" approach?
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Yes
Tibetans for independence are simply more vocal "Middle Way" Tibetans. It is common in any country that the extremes of popular opinion drown out the voices of the middle. It may seem, in some ways, that Tibetans want independence when young and extremist portions of the population advocate it in protests and so loudly. But, this does not express popular, moderate support for the "Middle Way".
The Dalai Lama should act Tibet's best interests regardless of public opinion. While the Dalai Lama is concerned about Tibetan public opinion, he has the authority and right as Tibet's spiritual leader to act according to his faith and judgement. The "Middle Way" is consistent with the Dalai Lama's faith and principles, particularly of non-violence, so he should press it forward despite any objections on the part of the Tibetan people.
The pacifist spiritual leader pursues a "middle way" policy of calling for Tibetan autonomy within China. His younger followers demand independence.
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International support: Is the "Middle Way" approach supported internationally?
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The US supports Dalai Lama and his cause The United States has vocally supported Tibet's moves for greater autonomy in the "Middle Way". It has not given any support to the idea of independence, nor is it likely to. For the United States government, irrespective of the principles of the matter, are unlikely to jeopardize trade relations with China over the Tibetan issue.
Governments are not supporting Tibetan independence only because it's undiplomatic. It's not surprise that governments internationally favor a modest approach in Tibet. Such an approach is pragmatic and doesn't risk too much. Yet, the gutless reaction of the international community of states does not mean that Tibetan independence is any less of a good idea, nor that states internationally do not support it in principle.
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Recent Protests: What did the 2008 protests demonstrate on "Middle Way"?
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Yes
Dalai Lama was not behind the recent protests Some have argued that China is responsible for the 2008 protests in Tibet against Chinese rule and for Independence. The Dalai Lama rejects this notion, and there is little reason to believe otherwise. Therefore, he should be be held responsible for these protests and the "Middle Way" should move forward unscathed.
Dalai Lama rightly supports Tibetan protests, but also non-violence The Dalai Lama supports Tibetans in their right to protest China's oppressive rule of the region. But, he is also right to support the notion of non-violence and denounce Tibetans that violently protest. This is a tried and true approach to protests, tested by Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi.
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Recent surge in violence prove Dalai Lama is an inefficient way for Tibet This incident has really demonstrated the illegitimacy of the Dalai Lama. The 2008 protests made it clear that many Tibetans don't support the Dalai Lama's peaceful, non-revolutionary, non-independence "Middle Way". The Dalai Lama even had to threaten to resign if violent protests continued. Clearly, the protests brought the legitimacy of the Dalai Lama in to question, in addition to his "Middle Way".
Tibet independence protesters have more leverage than "widdle way" voices The "Middle Way" is a nuanced approach to the Tibetan issue and, therefore, is less potent for protesters that are trying to leverage their own voices to the greatest effect. Calls for Tibetan Independence do a better job of resonating with people around the world that are listening. This is valuable, and is an argument in favor of, at least, continuing to call for Tibetan Independence, not merely the "Middle Way"; it has a greater impact.
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Olympics: Is the "Middle Way" approach effective in relation to 2008 Chinese Olympics?
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Yes
"Middle way" wisely supports the Chinese Olympic Games The Dalai Lama's "middle way" generally adopts a sound, moderate and compassionate approach to dialogue with China. This includes such things as supporting China's Olympics in 2008, despite the controversy. This is an important conciliatory move on the part of the Dalai Lama, and generates good human relations no matter what happens with Tibet.
Tibetan "middle way" wisely continued dialogue with China through Olympics It is a testament to the Dalai Lama's "Middle Way" that the Chinese government has continually offered opportunities for dialogue to the Dalai Lama through the Olympics controversy and the surpession of Tibetan protesters in early 2008. It demonstrates that the Middle Way always leaves open the door for dialogue, which is always a good thing.
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Tibet independence protesters have more leverage than "widdle way" voices In relation to the Olympics, it is important to connect the protests over human rights abuses in China and the Olympics with a potent message regarding Tibet: Independence. To connect this excited international opportunity, in which the Tibetan issue is in the limelight through the Olympics, to Tibetan independence would be to fully take advantage. To call only for the "middle way" would not press the Chinese government as potently as call for independence.
Calling for Tibetan independence is an important means to greater autonomy. It is important to consider protests for Tibetan independence as a means to greater Tibetan autonomy. The reason is that it puts heavy pressure on the Chinese government, and makes greater autonomy look like a good compromise (as opposed to giving full independence). These are basic principles of negotiating and bargaining; aiming high makes the desired outcome (perhaps autonomy) look more reasonable.
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