If communism is so bad and regressive, how is China able to succeed in the global market?
Communism is bad or regressive is subjective and depends on individual perspectives. However, in the context of China's economic success, it's essential to note that China has undergone significant economic reforms since the late 20th century, moving away from strict communism toward a system often described as "socialism with Chinese characteristics."
When you are studying communism as part of your political science education, you might think that communism in China is the same as communism in Russia. However, communism in China, or Maoism, is very different.
Mao Zedong (see the following figure) knew right away that Marxism and Leninism weren’t a perfect fit for China in the 1920s. China was pre industrial, with the vast majority of all Chinese living in the countryside. They were being exploited by a landed aristocracy. There was little industry in China, and a small working class was concentrated in a few large cities.
According to Marx, a class revolution couldn’t occur in China because the revolutionary class, the working class, was missing. China first had to go through industrialization and create a capitalist society with a large working class, and only then could it go Communist.
Here are some factors that have contributed to China's economic
1.success:Market-oriented Reforms: In the late 1970s and early 1980s, China initiated economic reforms under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping. These reforms shifted the country towards a more market-oriented economy, allowing for private enterprise, foreign investment, and competition.
2.Global Trade Integration: China actively pursued integration into the global economy, becoming known as the "world's factory." The country embraced export-oriented growth strategies and engaged in international trade, becoming a major player in the global supply chain.
3.Educational and Technological Advancements: China has made significant investments in education and technology. The country has a large and increasingly skilled labor force, and it has become a major player in areas such as information technology and telecommunications.
4.Investment in Infrastructure: China has invested heavily in infrastructure development, including transportation, communication, and energy. This has facilitated economic growth and improved the overall business environment.
.
5.Pragmatic Policies: The Chinese government has adopted pragmatic economic policies, adjusting its approach as needed to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities. This flexibility has allowed for a dynamic response to changing economic conditions.
6.State-led Capitalism: While China has embraced market-oriented reforms, the government still plays a significant role in the economy. Strategic state planning and intervention in key industries have helped guide economic development.
In 1919, Mao applied to the best university in China, Beijing University, but he was rejected. Disappointed, Mao decided to move to the capital anyway and became a librarian at Beijing University to be close to academics. Here, he was introduced to the works of Marx and Lenin, and in 1921, he became one of the 13 original founding members of the Chinese Communist Party.
In 1927, Chinese nationalist leader Chiang Kai-Shek began his quest to destroy the Communists, and Mao had to flee in 1934 to the remote mountainous parts of China. The Communists, however, were saved by the Japanese attack on China in 1937, because Chiang Kai-Shek had to focus on defending his country instead of wiping out the Communists.
Mao further believed in the concept of permanent revolution. Both Marx and Lenin believed that a working-class revolution would destroy capitalism and then socialism would take care of remnants of other classes and set the foundation for Communism. As soon as Communism was achieved, there’d be no need for another revolution. Mao disagreed. He believed that after a few years or decades, people become complacent and capitalist ideas resurface in society. Therefore, another revolution, a cultural one, was needed to eliminate or re-educate the people who had lost their Communist spirit. In 1965, Mao implemented the Cultural Revolution to purge Chinese society with disastrous political and economic results.
Mao further believed in the concept of permanent revolution. Both Marx and Lenin believed that a working-class revolution would destroy capitalism and then socialism would take care of remnants of other classes and set the foundation for Communism. As soon as Communism was achieved, there’d be no need for another revolution. Mao disagreed. He believed that after a few years or decades, people become complacent and capitalist ideas resurface in society. Therefore, another revolution, a cultural one, was needed to eliminate or re-educate the people who had lost their Communist spirit. In 1965, Mao implemented the Cultural Revolution to purge Chinese society with disastrous political and economic results.
Finally, Mao agreed with Lenin that the common person wouldn’t be able to make rational decisions for the country. Only a small intellectual elite in charge of a powerful political party could do so, thus, the creation of the Chinese Communist Party, which still runs China at the time of this writing.
In summary, China's economic success is the result of a complex interplay of factors, including market-oriented reforms, global trade integration, infrastructure development, educational advancements, and pragmatic policies, rather than a strict adherence to traditional communism.
Comments