Investors want stability, not democracy: Indonesia
Well, he does have a tiny part of it correct about democracy (look at Vietnam, Singapore, China -- all doing well with investment, but poor democracy), what he does not seem to grasp is that those countries DO have a "democratic" (read: equitable) playing field for foreign businesses. He's clearly using this "argument" to divert attention from being criticized for actually hampering business via the rent-seeking mentality.
He likely believes that if he can portray it as a zero-sum game (i.e., democracy and uncertain biz climate VS. no democracy and decent biz) that foreign journalists will side with him on keeping democracy. He then would be free to maintain the corrupt status quo, which greatly benefits (BUT only in the very short term) himself and his party and his cronies.
He likely believes that if he can portray it as a zero-sum game (i.e., democracy and uncertain biz climate VS. no democracy and decent biz) that foreign journalists will side with him on keeping democracy. He then would be free to maintain the corrupt status quo, which greatly benefits (BUT only in the very short term) himself and his party and his cronies.