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Socialism and Democracy in Communist China

Laika

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
It is clear that the People's Republic of China is the largest country (by population) that continues to be rule by a Communist Party in the wake of the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the former U.S.S.R in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Despite the enormous setbacks faced by Marxist-Leninist regimes, China has been able to maintain a degree of social and political stability, whilst also pursuing a dramatic expansion of it's economy, especially in coastal areas.

China's place as the worlds most powerful communist nation and as a rival to the United States, means it necessary draws a great deal of attention in the media. The relationship of China to Communism remains hotly debated for a number of reasons;

The first is whether China is a democracy and a dictatorship, and is more generally a reflection of debates on how far Marxist-Leninist regimes around the world are truly democratic and reflect the will and interests of the population. There are particular issues relating to whether China should allow greater autonomy and even independence of certain regions which gain special media attention in the west, such as Tibet, Taiwan and Muslim minority groups in North West China.

The second is due more specifically to the economic reforms introduced in China since the late 1970's, which have continued to this day, and whether these changes in economic relations mean that China is now in fact a "capitalist" economy or whether it remains a "socialist" one.

In many respects, these issues raises broader questions about the nature and structure of a Communism economic and political system, how far a market economy can operate under socialism and to what extent socialism alters our understanding and practice of democracy, to the point of treat communist party rule as acceptable and legitimate.

So I was wondering what are your thoughts on whether China is a Democracy and if it is a Socialist country? And How far does China's implementation of Communism represent your understanding of Communism and the hopes and ideals you hold for the future?

Welcome to the Communist Only Sub-Forum
s_l300_1.png
 

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
I’ve always had it explained to me that China is to communism what the Nazis were to socialism. But I remain quite ignorant on the topic.
That’s just what I often encounter in “commie spaces” that I laze around in :shrug:
 

Stevicus

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
It is clear that the People's Republic of China is the largest country (by population) that continues to be rule by a Communist Party in the wake of the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the former U.S.S.R in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Despite the enormous setbacks faced by Marxist-Leninist regimes, China has been able to maintain a degree of social and political stability, whilst also pursuing a dramatic expansion of it's economy, especially in coastal areas.

China's place as the worlds most powerful communist nation and as a rival to the United States, means it necessary draws a great deal of attention in the media. The relationship of China to Communism remains hotly debated for a number of reasons;

The first is whether China is a democracy and a dictatorship, and is more generally a reflection of debates on how far Marxist-Leninist regimes around the world are truly democratic and reflect the will and interests of the population. There are particular issues relating to whether China should allow greater autonomy and even independence of certain regions which gain special media attention in the west, such as Tibet, Taiwan and Muslim minority groups in North West China.

The second is due more specifically to the economic reforms introduced in China since the late 1970's, which have continued to this day, and whether these changes in economic relations mean that China is now in fact a "capitalist" economy or whether it remains a "socialist" one.

In many respects, these issues raises broader questions about the nature and structure of a Communism economic and political system, how far a market economy can operate under socialism and to what extent socialism alters our understanding and practice of democracy, to the point of treat communist party rule as acceptable and legitimate.

So I was wondering what are your thoughts on whether China is a Democracy and if it is a Socialist country? And How far does China's implementation of Communism represent your understanding of Communism and the hopes and ideals you hold for the future?

Welcome to the Communist Only Sub-Forum
s_l300_1.png

I guess I have mixed feelings about China. However, I can't deny that, as a country, they have improved immensely as a result of the Communist Revolution. Considering the situation China was in during the late 19th and first half of the 20th centuries, they are certainly far better off due to Communism than any system they had prior.

They've ostensibly switched over to capitalism, although I don't think they're really that much of a democracy.

I remember a conversation I had with some Birchers back in the 1990s when they thought the breakup of the Soviet Union and the capitalist direction China was going was all a big ruse. Although others were talking about a big "peace dividend" and thinking that the world was entering a new era of peace and cooperation. But considering that we seem to be entering a new Cold War, I'm wondering if it might have been a ruse. Either that, or the US really wasted a golden opportunity for peace with both China and Russia.

At this point, both China and Russia appear more nationalistic than anything else. I'm not sure they care that much about what economic system they have - socialism or capitalism - since nationalism seems to be the direction they're taking.

To some degree, at least in trying to look at things from their side, I can sort of understand it. Both China and Russia were two countries which suffered the most during the 20th century, and in China's case, a lot of it was caused by the West, and the Japanese also inflicted a great deal of damage and death upon that country. Our only real saving grace is that we were once allies during WW2. And we have had reasonably good relations since Nixon opened relations with China. The Chinese-American rapprochement was probably what would eventually do in the USSR.

I also saw a lot of Americans who were happy about China's shift towards capitalism, as they saw it as a huge market and labor pool to exploit. Maybe they thought that American influence would rub off on them, and they'd give up all that silly Communism and become a capitalist democracy.

They thought it would lead to a more peaceful and prosperous world, and maybe it could have been that, if not for the continued warmongering coming from the U.S. government. Without having to worry about Russia or China anymore, the U.S. military leadership apparently felt it had a free hand to do whatever it wanted. For a time, they did. After 9/11, US forces were able to set up bases in former Soviet Republics for the attack on Afghanistan - something that would have been unheard of 20 years earlier.

But after a while, I got the sense that much of the world, including China and Russia, were getting a bit fed up with all the BS and militarism perpetrated by the US government. So, I can see why they might be getting cranky.

Perhaps, in a few centuries, there will ultimately be a world-wide socialist democracy, but I think the world will go through a lot of hell before we get to that point. China will likely survive, if their regime is flexible and adaptable. But that's just a guess on my part.
 

Laika

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
I’ve always had it explained to me that China is to communism what the Nazis were to socialism. But I remain quite ignorant on the topic.
That’s just what I often encounter in “commie spaces” that I laze around in :shrug:

I think the number of people who agree that China has a socialist economy and a democratic political system is in a very small minority now. I believe even Maoists are unhappy with how things have turned out because of the scale of Market reforms and are liable to criticise China as "revisionist" and "capitalist" to one degree or another. I haven't heard the Chinese side of the argument however, so I am not sure if it really stacks up against them as badly as it appears.
 
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