I think most people would agree that China has come a long way in the last 20 years...Why does it have to be on other people's timetable and not theirs? Who else on this planet has to manage more than a billion people and trying to get them out of poverty?
India has more freedom and look where it's getting them... More freedom also means more chaos. I think the majority of people are prepared to forego some freedom for order and food on their table.
Perfect example is the severe crackdown in the US since 911. Even with all the excesses of the Bush administration in the first term, he got reelected. All because a a few terrorists and the big fear...