<p>At least the Chinese system has a way of weeding out those who want to study and work hard from those who just want to go and scrape by with C’s and D’s.</p>
<p>There are 56 ethnic groups in China.</p>
<p>[List</a> of ethnic groups in China - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_groups_in_China]List”>List of ethnic groups in China - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>Yes, in China affirmative action is carried out in many aspect of life.</p>
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<p>In essence, it’s the same thing. Social engineering, or “preventive appeasement for potential social conflicts”… It’s a governing tool the powerful have used for thousands years.</p>
<p>Educating some among the underclass will help the powerful to govern them, better than facing violent upraising. Yes, this is a cynical view, but it’s as a compelling view as a benevolent one. And in practice, the cynical and the benevolent do not differ in results --you get a peaceful society.</p>
<p>Rulers of any country will do their best to govern. There is no doubt about it. Darwinian Theory works here as well.</p>