Socialism with Chinese Characteristics?

[Laika]

Since the market reforms introduced by Deng Xao Peng in the late 70’s, there has been considerable debate amongst commentators, academics and activists as to whether China still qualifies as a socialist or communist country. In the 90’s this was seen as de facto establishment of capitalism and a road to a democratic transition. More recently, the success of China’s economic model, the sheer pace of urban, industrial and economic development in the country and the crisis of western democracies and economies has raised concerns that China has found a way to combine authoritarian politics and economic growth that could be replicated in other countries round the world.

Given the precedent of the New Economic policy in the USSR in the 1920’s and limited efforts towards monetary incentives and market autonomy in the 1950’s and 1980’s, it is not unheard of for communist parties to embrace market economics. Nikolai Bukharin once told peasants to “enrich yourselves” much to the embarrassment of the Soviet establishment. Karl Marx himself built most of Marxist economic theory based on the classical economics of his time and ultimately supported free trade (admittedly on the grounds that it would bring about the revolution faster).

So what do you think? Is China a socialist country or is it disqualified because of the extent of market economic reforms or the “undemocratic” nature of communist party rule?

Thoughts and comments welcome.

 

[Altfish]

Having visited China last year, it is certainly not a socialist country; it is run like a dictatorship. It is heavily polluted, people are a distant second to the 'state'.

 

[joe1776]

I think we need to separate the form of government from the type of economy that government manages. Socialism requires good management by a government that is competent and free of corruption. Since we humans have yet to invent such a thing, genuine socialism has never had a fair trial anywhere in the world.

It's my impression that China is a mixed economy, part socialist and part free market, like most of the world. I'd classify the government as communist.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Since the market reforms introduced by Deng Xao Peng in the late 70’s, there has been considerable debate amongst commentators, academics and activists as to whether China still qualifies as a socialist or communist country. In the 90’s this was seen as de facto establishment of capitalism and a road to a democratic transition. More recently, the success of China’s economic model, the sheer pace of urban, industrial and economic development in the country and the crisis of western democracies and economies has raised concerns that China has found a way to combine authoritarian politics and economic growth that could be replicated in other countries round the world.

Given the precedent of the New Economic policy in the USSR in the 1920’s and limited efforts towards monetary incentives and market autonomy in the 1950’s and 1980’s, it is not unheard of for communist parties to embrace market economics. Nikolai Bukharin once told peasants to “enrich yourselves” much to the embarrassment of the Soviet establishment. Karl Marx himself built most of Marxist economic theory based on the classical economics of his time and ultimately supported free trade (admittedly on the grounds that it would bring about the revolution faster).

So what do you think? Is China a socialist country or is it disqualified because of the extent of market economic reforms or the “undemocratic” nature of communist party rule?

Thoughts and comments welcome.

The communist party are brutal invaders that choked the life out of the Chinese people.

No bones about it. China is a ruthless hardcore communist party.

 

[Audie]

China is China. We do not correspond to any
of your labels.

 

[ChristineM]

China is China. We do not correspond to any
of your labels.

I was going to say similar but along the lines of ex communist, socialist capitalism. Whats the name for that?

 

[Audie]

I was going to say similar but along the lines of ex communist, socialist capitalism. Whats the name for that?

Easy. "China".

 

[Stevicus]

So what do you think? Is China a socialist country or is it disqualified because of the extent of market economic reforms or the “undemocratic” nature of communist party rule?

Not sure what label one would use, but they definitely don't appear to have their workers' well-being as a high priority. They essentially "rent out" their captive labor force so that Western corporations can profit from cheap labor.

In fact, I just came across this article: Tesco halts work at Chinese factory over prison labor claim

LONDON -- The British-based grocery chain Tesco has halted production at a factory in China after a British newspaper said the factory used forced labor to produce charity Christmas cards.

The huge grocery chain said Sunday it had stopped production and launched an immediate investigation after the Sunday Times newspaper raised questions about the factory's labor practices.


The newspaper said a six-year-old girl in south London found a message inside a box of charity cards that read “we are foreign prisoners in Shanghai Qinqpu prison China forced to work against our will. Please help us and notify human rights organization.”

Tesco said it would never allow prison labor in its supply chain.

 

[leov]

Since the market reforms introduced by Deng Xao Peng in the late 70’s, there has been considerable debate amongst commentators, academics and activists as to whether China still qualifies as a socialist or communist country. In the 90’s this was seen as de facto establishment of capitalism and a road to a democratic transition. More recently, the success of China’s economic model, the sheer pace of urban, industrial and economic development in the country and the crisis of western democracies and economies has raised concerns that China has found a way to combine authoritarian politics and economic growth that could be replicated in other countries round the world.

Given the precedent of the New Economic policy in the USSR in the 1920’s and limited efforts towards monetary incentives and market autonomy in the 1950’s and 1980’s, it is not unheard of for communist parties to embrace market economics. Nikolai Bukharin once told peasants to “enrich yourselves” much to the embarrassment of the Soviet establishment. Karl Marx himself built most of Marxist economic theory based on the classical economics of his time and ultimately supported free trade (admittedly on the grounds that it would bring about the revolution faster).

So what do you think? Is China a socialist country or is it disqualified because of the extent of market economic reforms or the “undemocratic” nature of communist party rule?

Thoughts and comments welcome.

I'd say that China became socialist by accident - rubbed off the USSR.

 

[Revoltingest]

China is China. We do not correspond to any
of your labels.

What about "China"?

 

[Audie]

Not sure what label one would use, but they definitely don't appear to have their workers' well-being as a high priority. They essentially "rent out" their captive labor force so that Western corporations can profit from cheap labor.

In fact, I just came across this article: Tesco halts work at Chinese factory over prison labor claim

Here I thought it was a fortune cookie factory.

 

[Audie]

What about "China"?

See post #7, ya swab.

 

[Revoltingest]

See post #7, ya swab.

What....you expected me to read more than the first couple'o posts?

 

[Audie]

What....you expected me to read more than the first couple'o posts?

Do you know why I said it before you did?

 

[Revoltingest]

Hardly fair of me to expect of you what I dont do.

(Did you notice the internal rhyme?)

I sure did.
Few others here appreciate such little niceties.

Btw....
Girl, 6, finds note in Tesco Xmas cards from 'slave' in Chinese prison

 

[Stevicus]

Here I thought it was a fortune cookie factory.

Yeah, I heard about that, too. I've also heard about how they used to "Shanghai" people in Shanghai.

 

[Audie]

I sure did.
Few others here appreciate such little niceties.

Btw....
Girl, 6, finds note in Tesco Xmas cards from 'slave' in Chinese prison

Also from fortune cookie factory.

I changed the post above but not b4 you admired my poesy.

You missed my q.to whivh there is a extraordinarily clevrr
and funny answer.

 

[Audie]

Yeah, I heard about that, too. I've also heard about how they used to "Shanghai" people in Shanghai.

I will have to think of some american words we use in odd ways.

 

[Revoltingest]

Also from fortune cookie factory.

I changed the post above but not b4 you admired my poesy.

You missed my q.to whivh there is a extraordinarily clevrr
and funny answer.

Please to clear be yang guizi understand no.

 

[Stevicus]

Easy. "China".

We call it "China." Don't the Chinese call it "Zhōngguó"? I guess we could call it that, too, just as we switched from "Peking" to "Beijing."

Of course, over here in America, we've gotten mixed messages from China. I grew up with the idea that the government in Taiwan was "Nationalist China" and that they were the "real" China, as opposed to mainland "Red China" which were considered "bandits" and "imposters." Nixon reversed that, and Taiwan was kind of left out in the cold like some unwanted step child, yet still under U.S. protection.

I don't think labels are really so important, but from a U.S. point of view, we have tended towards a bit of unease and wariness regarding China. It also seems apparent that the Chinese government is very sensitive to any kind of criticism, and tends to react sharply with veiled threats to any criticism or rebuke over their actions. Of course, we also have politicians who shoot off their mouths a lot, so it's just an ongoing war of rhetoric.

I think what we're seeing nowadays is more of a world-wide increase of nationalism, in one form or another. Some of it might be related to economic systems, but even that seems to be of secondary concern. It seems to be noticeable trend occurring in multiple nations. This is why labeling can be problematic, since each nation is unique, with a different culture, history, and way of life.