Concerning China's Claim as Communist

[Fulanito de Tal]

I was talking to someone the other day, and the issue of China's political economy came up. I stated that I have heard many people claim that China is not communist. The reply I got was, "I can't definitely tell you if China is communist or not, but I can say that it wouldn't be in the best interest of the certain people in the US for the population to think that one of the fastest growing economies and powers to think that it is communist."

What's your opinion on this exchange?

[Lacrimi de Chiciură]

The US right-wing loves to fear monger over "Red China" though. The last thing the ruling class wants is for US workers to see China and America as governed fundamentally by the same economic principles. That would undo the mythos of American exceptionalism and get rid of a convenient political bogeyman.

Do you remember this?
"Citizens against government waste" US-China debt commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC8jAd84VyQ)

Or this?

http://c0181301.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/NE4lHka9z9Mw76_1_2.jpg

[Rafiq]

China does have a fast growing economy, but for who? In China, the majority of people are getting poorer whilst a minority of people are getting wealthier.

The only reason their economy is stabilized is because there overall rejection to the U.S. style neoliberal policies.

[Le Socialiste]

Actually, I hear people all the time who say that the introduction/implementation of capitalist policies was/is China's "saving grace". They genuinely believe that capitalism is what made China a "great power" in the world, that the "dirty commies" finally saw the error of their ways and acknowledged the "necessity" for free-market principles. :rolleyes:


The only reason their economy is stabilized is because there overall rejection to the U.S. style neoliberal policies.

Actually, their economy is nowhere near stabilized. All the Chinese have done is taken the economic and financial deficiencies that messed up their system during the economic crisis and kicked it further on down the road. However, that doesn't solve the reality of the situation - by which I mean the economy is becoming increasingly unsustainable. Eventually, China's economy/market will crash, and when it does the government might not make it out of the rubble.

[Dogs On Acid]

China does have a fast growing economy, but for who? In China, the majority of people are getting poorer whilst a minority of people are getting wealthier.

That is not true!

PRC is lowering poverty faster than any other country in the world.

Be it because of capitalist reforms or not, I don't care.
The working class is wealthier than ever before.

People in poverty have reduced from 452 million to 278 million according to Project Millennium by the United Nations.

But yes, inequality has risen.

In the 15 years from 1990–2005, China averaged per capita growth of 8.7%.

I can't post links, fuck...

[La Peur Rouge]

That is not true!

But yes, inequality has risen.


So then it is true?

[a rebel]

yes, the standard of living is on the rise in China. But the government also buys and sells its own currency to keep the dollar, and therefor the Chinese people weaker consumers. The standard of living should be higher than it is

[Dogs On Acid]

So then it is true?

Inequality does not mean poverty.

[Le Socialiste]

Inequality does not mean poverty.

No, but it does dispel the idea that China is truly striving for a classless and stateless future. Therefore, given its economic/financial, military, social, and political policies, it isn't hard for one to deem China a capitalistic nation.

[La Peur Rouge]

Inequality does not mean poverty.

No, I understand that, but Rafiq's point was that "the majority of people are getting poorer whilst a minority of people are getting wealthier." = rising inequality.

[Tommy4ever]

No, I understand that, but Rafiq's point was that "the majority of people are getting poorer whilst a minority of people are getting wealthier." = rising inequality.

I think you have this confused.

Over the past couple decades or so of rapid growth the entire country has been getting wealthier (almost inevitable with growth as high as it has been), just some people (namley the bourgeiosie) have been getting wealthier faster. But poorer members of society have seen improved incomes.

China's economy doesn't function in the same neo-liberal manner as the US. It functions under a blending of heavy state interventionism whilst at the same time allowing capitalists quite some freedom to act within the country.

Obviously, it is anything but communist or socialist. But just because this is the case doesn't mean it has an economy exactly the same as the West.

[La Peur Rouge]

I think you have this confused.


Again, I'm not claiming that the Chinese people haven't seen improved incomes, I'm saying that the gap between the rich and poor in China is getting larger.