China and the Reform Era

¶ … Chinese lives within the context of modern Chinese history Communist China has undergone a profound change over the past fifty years regarding its economy: from a primarily controlled and planned state it has shifted to what is, in effect, capitalism in everything but in name only. This marks a major change from the ideological purity demanded during the Maoist era. During the Cultural Revolution, the entire nation was subjected to an ideological cleansing.

Intellectuals and people deemed 'counterrevolutionary' in their ideology were sent to work in the countryside to be reeducated. This seems a far cry from the modern Chinese landscape, which is largely dominated by signs of capitalism spanning from name brand clothing to fast food establishments. However, although economically China has undergone a great deal of progress, politically it is very repressive of those who would defy the dictates of the state. Dissents such as the artist Ai Weiwei are repressed and stifled just as they were during the pre-reform era.

Thus, while much has changed in China, much has also stayed the same. There are young entrepreneurs but also individuals such as Ai who have not seen an appreciable improvement in their lives. Young, modern Chinese must decide if it is an acceptable compromise to have economic fulfillment and progress at the expense of political freedom. One of the most striking individuals from the documentary Young and Restless in China is that of Ben Wu.

Ben seems to embody the new China in his persona and attitude and he immediately strikes the viewer as being extremely westernized in his demeanor. Despite being born in what is still technically a communist country, Ben seems to have the mentality of an 'ultra-capitalist.' All his life, Ben has tried to capitalize upon opportunities, most notably in the ability to study in the United States. Despite the fact that he initially struggled as a college student in the U.S.

because of the cultural and language divide, he quickly adapted. The freedom and possibilities within the U.S. suited his personality: he liked to be able to grab a hamburger and a beer without any social pressures to be like anyone else. He is extroverted and very social by nature in a way that is highly esteemed in the U.S.

Ben is above all an individualist who likes to be distinguished from 'the pack' rather than to blend in -- and this type of individualism was just the sort of attitude that was anathema to Maoism, even though most would say it is necessary in any capitalist country to generate wealth. However, Ben remained close to his parents -- and in keeping with his capitalistic mindset; he was in search of new opportunities.

And what could be better than China, with its rapidly expanding middle class population, full of people just like Ben, looking for new ideas? So Ben returned to work at the emerging computer firm Lenovo. However, Ben felt frustrated given that despite (or because of) the many changes in China, corruption and nepotism were rife. The nation was a 'free for all' in terms of official bribery, as many were looking to capitalize upon the desire of people to do business as a form of enrichment.

And although Lenovo was considered something of an upstart firm in relation to Microsoft and Apple, Ben still felt constrained within the limits of that particular corporate environment. Eventually, Ben decided to open up his own solar panel business with his father, hoping to remain on the cutting edge of 'green' technology in China and to stay innovative and relevant in the new economy. However, Ben's frustrations illustrate a common problem in developing world economies.

Although Ben seems to embody the new China in his entrepreneurial spirit, he also illustrates how the rapid shift to capitalism has not eradicated problems that have existed within China for decades. The corrupt and biased communist system of official bribery likewise experienced a seamless transition to capitalism and many of the aspects of life that made things so frustrating during communism made it equally difficult to begin capitalist enterprises.

Corruption was to survive during communist scarcity, but the system of ethics and objective business dealings that exists in the West has yet to evolve. China remains a nation governed by custom and hierarchy in many ways, even under capitalism. Miranda Hong is another excellent example of this fine line between old and new China. Miranda's parents put her under a great deal of pressure to succeed -- despite having grown up under Maoism, they instilled a strong capitalist work ethic in their daughter.

This could be said to be another paradox of China -- although it embraced communism in name for so long, many of its values seem uniquely well-suited to capitalism, including the drive to ensure that one's children lead a better life. However, unlike Ben, who gets along well enough with his father to make him a joint partner in its business, Miranda's relationship with her parents is far more difficult and tenuous.

This may be partially due to personality, partially to gender: women still struggle for parity in China although capitalism has given many women the ability to aggressively pursue careers and something resembling equality. Miranda's career prospects are far more equal to her husband's than her mother's but juggling traditional expectations of being a wife and mother with her high-powered position in marketing is a constant challenge.

Moreover, Miranda often says she feels confused about Western values: her parents were brought up to view the West as evil and decadent, and now Western corporations are celebrated in the Chinese media. However, although Ben and Miranda experience difficulties, both of them seem to have found something resembling a social place within China's capitalist firmament. Although they may feel constrained by the system in some respects, they have made peace with it.

That is not the case with Ai Weiwei of whom it is said: "they've [the authorities] tried to enforce his.