Three Stages Of Communism In China

China has been a “communist” state since 1949, but the system itself has changed immensely with gradual reforms of Deng Xiaoping after Mao Zedong’s death in 1976. Mao Zedong started the soviet model in 1949, that consisted of three stages. Stage one began on October 1 of 1949 and was called “Lean to One Side.” The main goal was to get rid of opium, prostitution, redistribution of land, get rights for women, and nationalize industry. Mao used the Soviet Union to help form a communist country. Apart of Mao’s communist vision was focusing on heavy industry to build up China and improve the military. Part of his view was also communist ideological education and the “Thought Reform.” The Hundred Flowers Campaign was also part of stage one, where

Deng was more practical and was head of the party but never made official. He allows some capitalism, although the government makes big decisions. Deng gradually transitioned to a non-communist economy, and did not radically reform to market policies. To add to that, there are two stages to his reform. The first stage takes place in the late 1970’s to early 1980’s. He decollectivizes agriculture, and opens up to foreign investment. By Deng seeking more foreign investments, he was taking a big step toward overall development. Deng also allows entrepreneurs to start up businesses, as he is more practical. These new opportunities were not offered under Mao. The second stage took place in the mid 1980’s through the 1990’s. During this stage industries were privatized, state assets were sold off, price controls were lifted, and some monopolies by government did remain, like banking. Deng allowed managers, and often worked with them. He also had less state control of the economy, and continued to encourage ownership. The citizens of China did not have to be flag waving communist, but they could not “boo” his ideals. Due to all of these improvements, there was a spectacular growth in the 80’s. This created desire for democratic reform by many younger, educated Chinese

After market reforms, villagers lacked communist leadership, as it was hard to manage with all the corruption of leaders and refusal to comply by villagers. Deng allowed people to express demands and published them on the Democracy Wall. Deng also began to modernize ideas after Mao. He strengthened the fields of agriculture, industry, national defense, science and technology. Deng changed a lot about how China was run because he wanted order, and wanted the rule of Law to provide as it makes the system more attractive to foreign investors. Deng promoted a stable system and economic growth. He also promoted legal education of citizens whereas Mao thought this created legalist, known as an elite class. Deng set forth the Legislative Affairs Committee (revises the laws), and the Administrative Litigation Law (allows suits against the government to prove growth of the system.) Lastly, Deng allowed direct election at a county level and for them to be popularly elected. Township and Village enterprises were able to be owned by members, and to formally owned. This motivates locals to work hard and produce as this was a key part of market system. In all, there were three overall changes in participation rules after Mao. The first change is “optional” as politics are less intrusive (no more social or political labels.) There is “avoidance of arousing masses” as there were no more mass mobilization campaigns (the