China's social credit system

China recently banned some 23 million people from buying travel tickets as part of their ‘social credit’ system.

‘Discredited individuals’ include those who have taken drugs, not paying their taxes and smoking on a train. The system’s aim is to encourage people to improve their behaviour. The pilot scheme is controversial, however many officials believe that the scheme is working.

What do your students think? Could this type of scheme work in the UK or in any other countries?

This article could be used in the Global Development unit.