An analysis of the fundamental threat that is posed to the continuing stable development of China from the convergence of Maoist-Leninism and capitalism in contemporaryChina.
Abstract This paper discusses the convergence of Maoist-Leninism and capitalism in contemporaryChina. It focuses on "ideology" as an element of change in China today in order to highlight the nature of the challenge facing a country. The paper looks at China's surging economy and geriatric political structure that is supported by a decayed ideology and suggests that there is a fundamental threat that is posed to the continuing stable development of China from these contradictory ideologies.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Problem Facing China What is "Ideology"?
The Connection Between Capitalism and Democracy
An Unstable Marriage: Capitalism and Communism
An Uncertain Future
From the Paper "From this perspective, we can understand the fundamental threat that is posed to the continuing stable development of China from these contradictory ideologies. Capitalism seems to necessarily stimulate independent political thinking, which is highly repellant to the Communist Party which sought independent thinking only in terms of market management and technological innovation. The Communist Party thus bases its continuing monopoly on political power upon an ideology that no one in China truly believe in anymore. This co-existence of contradictory ideologies may continue for years to come, but obviously cannot be sustained in the long term. It is this fact that gives rise to the pessimism of many observers regarding the future of China."
Abstract This paper analyzes three articles that relate to issues in contemporaryChina. It specifically examines "Rebuilding the Party's Normative Authority: China's Socialist Spiritual Civilization Campaign. Problems of Post-Communism" by Feng Chen, "Dilemmas of Thought Work in Fin de Siecle China" by D. C. Lynch and "Economic Reform and Ideological Decay: the Decline of Ideology, in Riding the Tiger - the Politics of Economic Reform in Post-Mao China" by Gordon White.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Reform and Ideology Lynch on 'Thought Work'
Gordon White and Riding the Tiger
Feng Chen
Conclusion
From the Paper "When studied after Lynch's paper and White's early 1990s summary, Feng Chen's work seem on target. He shows the Party's intellectuals and ideologists inventing work for themselves according to 'human interest' topics such as crime, removing unwholesome influences, bringing on patriotic education for the young - and these do point to some sort of socialist function. Ironically, the CCP is to run the Chinese state whose shifts to capitalism bring social problems and work towards correcting the social problems created. Feng Chen's discussion is effective in the irony of the CCP being unable to make a "normative order" according to socialism when nearly all else it pursues is so geared to capitalism. (41) An alert reader too will see that none of this matters because the Chinese show in different ways that, first and foremost, they want the benefits of capitalism. It seems like the CCP can have its moralizing intellectual and ideological "role" if it wants, because the Chinese want to be employed and have buying power. Also, they see the clear failings of capitalism as pursued by an archaic Party in millions of visibly poor people and the migrant worker population that is mentioned by others as a strong defect of the present system. If a reader follows the Chinese press, he or she can begin to think like an everyday Chinese who does not expect accuracy from the state media, does expect to be given some message of what it means to be a Chinese citizen, how China will be "great" of course, and as Feng Chen added, some instruction to do as the Party suggests. (33)"
Abstract This essay briefly reviews the development and existence of an emerging culture of systemic disparity between China's regions and people. The essay discusses that despite successes in the spillover of economic growth into other regions; the collective emphasis on staged regional economic development united with China's ambition of becoming a global economic power has resulted in the rise of a culture of superiority in the coastal region.
From the Paper "Regional Development and Inequity in Contemporary China STATEMENT OF ARGUMENT: Despite successes in the spillover of economic growth into other regions; the collective emphasis on staged regional economic development united with China's ambition of becoming a global economic power has resulted in the rise of a culture of superiority in the coastal region. ESSAY: Barry Naughton argues that despite the popular opinion that suggests that region disparities in China are increasing, the empirical facts indicate that overall, change in rank of GDP is too diverse to determine this one way or another. In contrast to this opinion, other scholars state that regional disparities are real and in fact planned."
Abstract This paper refers to the rather negative predictions of Maurice Meisner (1999) and Minxin Pei (2006) concerning early 21st century development in the People's Republic of China (PRC) to reflect the actual results of a high-growth capitalism pursued by a still repressive state socialist regime. The author concludes with the statement that both Meisner and Pei seem justified in their discouraging assessments of the future.
Outline:
Introduction
Maurice Meisner on Social Values
Minxin Pei on Corruption
Consumerism and Decadence
Chinese Ideology, Social Values and Poverty
Wanderers and Vagabonds
Concluding Discussion
From the Paper "When discussing capitalism, socialism and democracy, Meisner points out that the great majority of Chinese have benefited from post-Reform capitalism in better incomes, housing and spending power but this has been done at a price of terrific environmental destruction, bureaucratic corruption and indeed, peasant riots that occurred in different parts of the PRC through the 1990s. (Mao's China 532-533) There has been a rise in everyday crime including organized crime that has increased in both urban and rural areas. In 1997, the PRC executed 3000 convicts, more than the rest of the world's executions combined. (Mao's China 533) In the 1950s, the regime had worked to eradicate drug addiction and trafficking, prostitution, gambling and the activities of organized crime. Daniel Lynch commented on what he calls 'thought work' on the part of the CCP in 1980s campaigns against 'spiritual pollution' and a 1987 campaign against 'bourgeois liberalization', later crackdowns on book marketing, anti-pornography drives, and all towards a summary given by Lynch that in the 1990s this sort of effort had largely failed. (1999) Like Meisner and Pei Lynch rather expected a rise in the resentment of the dispossessed that might begin using Internet media to organize protest activities. (1999)"
Abstract This paper critically examines the issue of growing economic inequality in China. It discusses the issue in terms of its historic development and how it has shaped China today. It also describes its implications for China's future social and economic evolution and discusses the reason that this problem has been masked in the popular view of China today as an economic superpower.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Ideology of Equality in Communist China China's Economic Reforms and Increasing Inequality
The Scale Inequality in ContemporaryChina Inequality and Political and Migration Pressures
Conclusion
From the Paper "In conclusion, the increasing levels of inequality in China - not only in terms of rural vs. urban, but also inland vs. coastal - present a clear and present threat to the legitimacy of the Communist government given its ideological origins in socialist egalitarianism. While the economic development of China and its opening to world trade has brought great wealth and development to parts of the country, other parts have suffered even more so. The geographic localization of this problem in rural/inland areas, as well as the discontent of many migrant workers in the urban areas, represents a disturbing prospect for the future of not only stable economic development in China, but for the continued rule of the Communist party and political stability in China as a whole."
Abstract The paper presents the question of what ideology will best suit China's leaders and citizens in a system in transition that will facilitate China's development in a stable manner. The paper explains that this is a complex question given that the ideology that may best suit China's leaders is not necessarily the same as the one that will best suit its people. This essay thus attempts to answer the question by describing what would be the best ideology for China for the immediate future and the probable ideology given China's current history.
Abstract The paper explains that it is doubtful, given China's history of the past centuries as well as its more recent history under communism since 1949, that nationalism can form the basis of a new, legitimizing ideology. The paper describes Nationalism as a European concept that evolved over centuries with the appearance of the nation-state in Europe. The paper clarifies that nationalism is not simply patriotism, or a sense of shared cultural or linguistic identities. Rather, it is a complex array of responses to the nation-state and to a community of collective memory that a people take pride in and which they feel distinguishes them from others.
Abstract The paper looks at China today and examines what kind of ideology will best suit Chinese leaders and citizens in a system of transition on the road to some form of globally integrated and pluralistic system. The essay argues that Confucianism and democracy are the best option. The paper explains that the first is traditional in the Chinese society and the second could help solve many of the country's problems.
From the Paper "Since the early 1980s China saw a unique transformation from an isolated rural country to urbanized, stable and quite open country. This turn in the Chinese economy and politics started soon after Mao's death and Deng Xiaoping's return to power. Deng, assisted by the survivors of the Long March, started the big reformation of the Chinese system. This reform era began with a shift in the political climate. Deng and other reformists wanted to move the policy of the Chinese Communist Party from ideological to pragmatic. The country was devastated by Mao's Cultural Revolution and the Great Leap Forward as well as by Mao's totalitarian regime."
Abstract This paper states that, because of the ideological differences, national security is a major political issue that troubles the U.S. government in allowing the proliferation and rapid investment in China by U.S. businesses. The paper points out that China's large population and availability of cheap labor makes it attractive to outside businesses.
The author believes that, if China is to develop further, it must improve its core infrastructure.
Table of Contents
China's Appeal for Multinational Corporations
Economic Assets and Problems
Businesses Likely to Succeed in the Short-run
More Insights
From the Paper "Again, China's inability to keep up with growing industrialization and as a result growing demand for resources such as electricity can result in a dampening effect on growth, if not addressed. Another consequence of China's rapid economic growth has been severe environmental pollution and China now accounting for over 13% of the world's carbon emissions. Failure to check this will lead to growing health care problems, which may add to the burden of providing for the weaker sections of society."
Abstract This paper takes a look at Pakistan-China bilateral relations. The paper discusses how despite ideological differences, the rationale for Pakistan seeking close bilateral relations with China is obvious. The paper analyzes the reasons why China decided to reciprocate and discusses main factors that helped to forge Pakistan-China bilateral relations from the 1950s onwards.
From the Paper "China had nothing preventing it from establishing strong ties with Pakistan but just because it was possible didn't imply any necessity to pursue the cause. To understand what pushed China into a friendship that -over the years- has been considered by some to be the next best thing to brotherhood, the geo-political labyrinth that China found itself in during the three decades after the revolution must be examined. "
Tags: communism, global, socialist, islamic, ideologies, Kashmir, india, cold, war
Abstract This paper argues that the current system of leadership in China will prevail, with minor adjustments, as long as it provides order, a sense of progress and leadership. China is discussed as an unique civilization that carries over influences of the past, not the least of which are Confucian models of authority, morality and the strong society as one that unites and directs.
From the Paper "China is discussed as a civilization, not a mere country or empire, whose political heritage differs from that of the West. The group is valued ahead of the individual as can give an impression of low political development to the foreign observer. Through time, China has had various forms of Platonic rule with those too harsh or incapable falling to rebellion or other violence, the people willing to tolerate a good deal till a point of excess that brings collapse."
Abstract This paper examines the significance of the "Great Leap Forward" of 1958 within the broader perspective of the Chinese revolution. This paper reviews the ideological significance of the Great Leap Forward in terms of both the identification of the goals and aims of those who claimed leadership of the revolution. The author explains the interdependence of "pure" and "practical" ideology and the concept of "thought" and "theory".
From the Paper "Since 1953, the CCP took great care in making the distinction between the universality of theory and the particularity of "thought". "Marxism-Leninism" was considered the guideline for all action; but, although clearly related, "Marxism" was regarded as the basis for theory and so offered a "world view" (shijie guan), Schurmann's "pure ideology". "Leninism" contributed a systematic body of thought concerning the practical application of Marx's "universal truths" in relation to social revolution and revolutionary organization, namely practical ideology. This recognition of and stress on duality persists during the period of the Great Leap Forward, although the two components of CCP ideology assume different names."
Tags: thought, leadership, revolution, pure, theory
Abstract The paper questions whether the retreat from radicalism undermines the thesis that the Great Leap Forward represents a turning point in the development of Chinese Communist ideology. It looks at the social and economic conditions of China before the event and examines whether the Great Leap forward was as beneficial to the country as previously thought.
From the Paper "Certainly the countryside was in a mess in the winter of 1958/1959 and reeling from the head-long rush towards communization the preceding summer. In most cases, the chaos grew out of the lack of both tools or proper resources as well as experience and skill. Communal canteens, nurseries and old people's homes had inadequate accommodation. Responsibility for planning in the whole of agricultural production was vested in the commune leadership quite inept at such levels of management. Although intended as the basic unit of ownership, the communes as a purely economic unit were far too large.
Accountancy was deficient and made worse by what Peng Teh-huai was soon to refer to as "the habit of exaggeration" (2), in their claims about increases in production targets. "Production battles" inevitably created considerable disequilibrium in the national economy. This affected many areas of production; from the failure to provide the means of transporting the harvested grain, to the failure to produce sufficient winter clothing, thus curtailing work in the fields during frosty weather. Disorder and misallocation of materials gave many peasants, who had little enthusiasm for the militarization of their working and social life, a concrete opportunity to give vent to their discontent. Peasants began refusing to go to work in military formation and secretly cooked their food at home. They took their children out of the nurseries and cr?ches. Old people left the old people's homes and returned to their families. Instead of sending the harvested grain to the granaries of the commune, many production brigades distributed it amongst themselves. There were also cases of well-poisoning, and the slaughtering of animals on the pastures at night. Communal stores were ransacked and cadres physically attacked. As such acts of resistance intensified throughout the winter a situation amounting to general, albeit uncoordinated, insurrection developed."
Abstract This paper discusses economic reform and entrepreneurial revolution in China since 1979. Reforms oriented toward free trade and open markets in the Communist government are discussed, as well as changes in China's political ideology due to economic pressures. The paper also highlights historical background and political problems.
From the Paper "At issue in the present study is the entrepreneurial revolution occurring in China, a revolution based on economic reforms oriented toward free trade and open markets that is paradoxically the product of ..."
Tags:China, economic reform, entreprenurs, Chinese Communist Party
Abstract This paper examines 20th century developments pertaining to the United States and China. The paper discusses how the philosophical position of each nation acts as a guiding principle when domestic agendas are decided upon and how these in turn reflect on international relations.
From the Paper "The United States and China have long eyed one another from across an ideological chasm that has at times appeared unbridgeable. Throughout the 20th century, domestic trends within each nation have diverged such that little common ground appeared to exist between them. Indeed for much of the 20th century, Chinese isolationism reinforced a communist agenda that did not recognize key properties intrinsic to Western society, among them religious freedom, capitalist business practices and a generally individualistic disposition."
Tags:china, united states, trade, ideology, communism, nixon, mao zedong, boxer rebellion
