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?
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?
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