more on the talk

Personally I think his talk was fine, though I like the points he raised during the Q&A more than his 'official speech.'
The reflection I had is actually a reflection more on the combination of his booklet and talk, or you may say on 'Dr. Lee's talks' as 'constructed' by me. Just as history is a kind of construction, my understanding is a construction.

One thing I do hold suspicious is the slogan-like idea 'democracy is the best.' This needs a lot more clarification. Democracy doesn't simply mean that 'everyone gets to vote and all votes are equal;' democracy doesn't guarantee efficiency(in the government) either. The 'best form of the government' depends on many factors; people have different needs and rights, some of which they may will to sacrifice in order to gain the more 'important' ones. What's best boils down to what people value most, especially when various values are in conflict.

What I don't like about the 'slogan' is that it assumes an imperative(something that has to be realized universally) too easily to the extent that it's almost a 'sacred, glorified reason(not simply an excuse)' to force those who disagree to conform(the U.S. thinks they invade Iraq to help it and do it good--bringing in democracy!).