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 contemporary China.
Abstract This paper discusses the convergence of Maoist-Leninism and capitalism in contemporary China. 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 The entry of China into the world economy fuels a clash of ideals between those who see it as an opportunity for greater markets and those who stick closely to Maoist ideals and fear the threat to security that this new deal brings. Although it may seem like an opportunity to grow capital markets on a global basis, there are many cultural barriers in the way. This paper examines three aspects of US-China trade relations: China's access to foreign capital, China's access to technology and China's access to NAFTA goods.
From the Paper "Another aspect of trade between the US and China is that in 1999 the US already had a massive trade deficit with China. The US imported far more goods from China than it exported. The entrance of China into the WTO gives them even more access to goods in the United States, however, due to NAFTA this will include Mexican and Canadian goods as well. Some in the United States fear that this will only serve to widen the trade deficit that already exists."
Abstract The paper discusses how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), under its leader Mao Zedong, took control of China in 1949. The paper describes how, within a year, it had consolidated its control, and it continued to maintain control during the Maoist Era (1949-1976). The paper further discusses how, to maintain control, the CCP use a variety of methods. The paper analyzes their political methods of control, including emphasizing campaigns, role models and the bandwagon effect; and their ideological methods, including a heavy emphasis on community ideology and class theory. All of this was underpinned by massive use of brute force.
Abstract This paper summarizes the film "Good-Bye Lenin" and examines its message that love, perhaps too much love, can kill the truth in the relationship between mother and son. The paper also examines the paper's other message, which reveals how over-involvement in politics can become a substitute for a real, family life. The paper then looks at how the conflict within the family in the film can be applied to the conflict between the East and the West and Communism and Capitalism. The paper relates that the unity of East and West forces Germans to confront their collective past, and to confront the incomplete nature of both of their systems. To truly move forward and to create something that is stronger and better than before, everyone must give up their fixation upon the material goods and ideals and ideas of the past.
From the Paper "While all of her children know that Christiane is a loyal communist, a lonely woman whose entire life revolved around the regime, the rest of society does not care, and does not 'wait' for Christiane. Christiane believed in its ideals of nobility and self-sacrifice and she was willing to give up material comforts for the chance to feel she was a part of something larger than herself, something that meant more than mere consumerism. Also, she was told that was how a good person acted, by the media and all of the culture influences around her. This is something, the film implies, that has been lost in the newly unified Germany, even though there was much to despise about the old regime, like its tyranny, shoddy goods, and the totalitarian mindset. Christiane's zealotry and love for her children is admirable, even while her admiration of communism is not."
Abstract This paper discusses the economic aspects of a possible unification of Taiwan and China as well as the role of global advances in technology. Political aspects of the proposed unification are considered both domestically and globally. In particular, it looks at how all of these subjects, economic, political and technological, would have a positive impact upon both China and Taiwan if they were to unify.
From the Paper "In terms of history, Taiwan became separated from China when the mainland went communist under Mao Zedong in 1949. The nationalists under Chiang Kai-shek retreated to Taiwan with significant human and financial resources. It is sometimes reported that China's national treasury was significantly depleted by Chiang Kai-shek before his departure to Taiwan, which arguably led to years of struggle on the mainland as food shortages were a matter of record. Despite being separated from China in an independent state, "People on Taiwan and mainland are all Chinese; we share the same cultural heritage and historical experiences. The major difference at the current stage is
our social and political systems" (Chang, 1999)."
Abstract This document examines the character of venture capital firms in general and in particular on venture capital methods for determining investment targets. The paper concludes that while there are several universally applied criteria, venture capital firms apply them in varying amounts according to the culture and investment preferences of the individual firm. Additionally, the paper examines the venture capital market in China in relation to the Chinese IT industry.
Abstract This paper explains social capitalism as the idea that social and economic progress can exist side by side and that the process of building richer societies involves the global economy placing more value on people. The paper identifies the four elements in the European social model and focuses on Norway's developed system of social capitalism. The paper also discusses social capitalism's shortcomings in regards to fiscal policy and looks at China's expansion and move towards capitalism that is coming at the expense of its people and the country. The paper shows how social capitalism provides an alternative to the point of view that capitalism and social benefits cannot go hand in hand.
From the Paper "Capitalism can be defined as "an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and distribution of goods, characterized by a free competitive market and motivation by profit" (Encarta, 2007). On the other hand socialism can be thought of as "a political theory or system in which the means of production and distribution are controlled by the people and operated according to equity and fairness rather than market principles" (Encarta, 2007). Given these two definitions the term "social capitalism" then seems like somewhat of an oxymoron. Capitalism itself is anti-social in nature, so surely then "social capitalism" is a contradiction in terms? What the new economy ''social capitalism'' argues is that government is not invisible, as described in Adam Smith's ''free market'' model of capitalism. Neither is the government all intrusive, as with Keynes. The government is in fact active and protects societal issues that impact on every citizen in all sectors that have an impact on an economy: education, infrastructure, health, water, energy, and the environment (Clark 2004)."
Tags: fiscal, policy, market, corporations, government, Norway, Europe, globalization, China
This paper discusses the fact that the economy of China, the very last of the main communist states, has made enormous advances towards becoming an industrialized country with a market-driven financial system.
Abstract This paper states that China's development follows the characteristic pattern of a developing country. The author believes that China is in a premature phase of capital buildup and, consequently, is acknowledging quick labor output development. The paper relates that it comes as a surprise to discover that the efficiency in the agricultural sector has been increasing as fast as in the contemporary sector.
Table of Contents
The Past and the Present
Drivers of Rapid Growth
Effects of an Overheating Economy
Effects of an SARS
The Future of China
From the Paper "The subsequent segment of structural change is from industry to service. This procedure hasn't started. The cause is that Chinese family circles have low wealth standards, as well as tend to reduce expenditure for wealth buildup. As reformation develops, as well as capital returns and creates wealth buildup easier to attain, expenditure preference ought to augment. The service sector's part in the economy ought to increase considerably. Majority of the predictable decrease in the agricultural sector's part in GDP in this decade ought to go to the service segment (6)."
Abstract The writer's opinion is that the Russian Revolution was neither planned nor led by any political faction. He finds that it was the result of the collapse of the monarchy's ability to govern. The paper explores the historical, political and social events which lead to the revolution and whether these would have happened with or without Lenin's involvement.
From the Paper "In February, 1917, civil unrest in Russia escalated into worker strikes and finally exploded into armed rebellion. Longtime Marxist and revolutionary Vladimir Lenin was ecstatic when the news reached Switzerland, where he lived in exile. He had devoted his life to orchestrating a worker's rebellion that would tear the tsar from power. In 1905, after Bloody Sunday when Tsar Nicholas II had ordered his army to fire on a peaceful labor demonstration, Lenin had come within touching distance of his goal, but the workers, fearing the strength of the military, had backed down. Now, fifteen years later, with the workers revolting and the military in mutiny, Lenin had finally achieved his lifelong dream (Lenin)."
Tags: russian, czar, revolution, lenin, communism, rasputin, nicholas
Abstract This paper provides a brief history of China, its economy and its world trade. This paper discusses the barriers that are keeping the PRC from meetings its trading goals: Fears of ideological differences, social upheaval, change and economic freedom. The author suggests that trade relations will improve when China opens its banking system to foreign banks.
Table of Contents
Overview
Brief History of China The Chinese Economy
China's Major Trading Partners
Barriers for China's Trade Growth
How the World Must Trade With China
From the Paper "This difference that Williamson addresses is one which plays a profound role in the strategy of the Chinese government when considering increasing trade relations. The Western model of capitalism is based on the belief that industry, when left alone grows and prospers within a free market economy, one that not only provides substance for its citizens but also leaves a surplus for export. In China, however, success is based on the exchange of economic advantages for political favors, major profits for technological innovation, and multilateral agreements with other Asian nations where vital resources are at stake."
Abstract This paper examines how China has been changing economically while trying to hold on to as much of the Communist system as possible, a delicate balancing act that raises the suspicions of much of the world while also creating a good deal of internal uncertainty. The paper points out that this is part of a modernization effort being carried forth not only by those within China or by her trading partners, but also by Chinese living abroad who wish to increase business for the home country or to develop China in a wide variety of fields, including the scientific, financial, artistic, tourism, and other fields. The paper maintains that part of this effort involves China joining the World Trade Organization (WTO). Both the possibility of China joining and the organization itself were the subjects of massive protests in this era of increasing globalization and remain so. The paper concludes that China's attempt to gain benefits while retaining autonomy in certain matters is a balancing act that cannot be maintained for long without political change.
Outline:
Introduction
The WTO
China and the WTO
Theoretical Implications
Conclusion
From the Paper "The Chinese take the view that America is only harboring ill feelings about the emergence of a stronger and more prosperous China, and they believe that Washington's policy toward Taiwan is designed to obstruct China's reunification. They say that the Americans want to stop Chinese arms sales that are merely for commercial purposes while at the same time they are selling more sophisticated fighters and missiles to the unyielding Taiwanese. They also believe that the Americans use the human rights issue as a weapon to interfere in China's domestic affairs and undermine the Chinese government and note that the U.S. government created obstacles to China's entry into the WTO with the intention to weaken China economically, which has an effect domestically and internationally at the same time: "As the Chinese are sustaining their economic growth and rapidly improving their standard of living, their national pride is certain to arise" (Jisi 45)."
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 discusses how the various American presidents have sought to encourage the open market policy with China. It looks at the first moves by Nixon in 1972 to established ties with Communist China. It then examines how America has tried to establish an Free Trade policy with China. The paper focuses on the potential benefits a free trade agreement would have on both China and the U.S., as well as the international economy as a whole.
From the Paper "The democratization of Communist China is neither likely nor feasible. Not in the foreseeable future. It was a brilliant and promising move when former President Richard Nixon first established ties with Communist China in 1972 as "one dictatorial power playing over another dictatorial power" (Boycott China 2002) as a face-saving act during the Vietnam War fiasco and at a time that Russia was on the offensive. During the Reagan administration, China began evolving into a freer and more open society, hinting at an evolving democracy. The American people had hoped to help build that democratic society and thought it would happen then. Today, President Bush's government wants to establish a free trade agreement with China so that it will be more dependent on us and become freer, more prosperous and more peaceful. China has the biggest population in the world and is thus the largest market for American products. Free trade would, therefore, enhance American objectives and economy while helping Communist China turn into a democratic society."
Abstract This paper argues that, although modern China may be adopting a more market-oriented economy, a full transition to a free market system of the press as a Westerner might understand freedom is unlikely. This is examined as a sociological phenomena, known as the frame theory of communication. This frame is also used to consider capitalism and its relationship with a free press. The paper discusses changes in China's attitude toward the media, yet concludes that the state still reserves the right to intervene and limit the media's functions by means of legal censorship, subsidies and direct media control.
From the Paper "True, with greater media commercialization, the media, Party and government organs did become business entities, "similar to a western capitalist system with advertising, subscription dependence and capital investment (Winfield & Peng, 2005: 260). But while the Chinese media has become decentralized in terms of who disseminates the information, official censorship still remains. While the press is no longer a mouthpiece for Marxism and Maoism, "China's uniqueness," such as the longstanding respect for Confucianism and hierarchy "has been largely ignored," by scholars who argue that capitalism inevitably and invariably sows the seed of freedom (Winfield & Peng, 2005: 266). Such scholars are blinded by the Western frame of capitalism as unfettered choice."
Tags:China, media, frame, theory, of, communication
Abstract In this paper the writer reviews the book by John Fairbank, "The United States and China". The author of the paper describes the book and outlines the main subjects covered. He then goes on to discuss elements in the book relating specifically to China - family, religion, politics and history. He comes to the conclusion that whilst the book was written some time ago, it is still relevant today for the student of American-Chinese relations.
From the Paper "A major theme in the book and in China is the family. And unlike families in the West (including Europe) the Chinese family unit is, Fairbank writes on page 21, a "microcosm, the state in miniature." This explains a lot about China, since the family - not the individual - has been for centuries the "responsible element in the political life..." of China. The family's function is to institute obedience (which the state wants from its people of course), to institute loyalty (again, mirrored by the state's demand for loyalty), and to raise "filial sons" who will become loyal to authority in the family setting. Women were always inferior, and are inferior today in China. On page 23 the author points out that philosophically, ancient China had the Yin (all things "female, dark, weak, and passive..") and the Yang (all things "male, bright, strong, and active.."). Girls have been (and still are to a great degree) subordinated to boys from the time they are infants (p. 23)."
Tags:china, usa, communism, capitalism, family, dynasty, america
