Chinese politics in the Mao and post-Mao eras

Mao & Post-Mao Era

Chinese Politics in Mao and Post Mao Era

Chinese politics has been heavily dependent on ideology and the prevailing ideology is clearly manifested in the political leadership and subsequently in the economic and social policies implemented by the government. The rise of Mao as China Chief Executive during the post World War II and at the height of the Cold War reflects the leader's firm adherence to communist ideals. Said ideals are seen in the manner in which he shaped China's economy and society along the lines and character of communism.

Sodaro (2001) argued that China's political system is ruled by the communist party. The party is organized along Leninist lines similar to the Soviet's Bolshevik Party; the CCP resembles a military hierarchy, with a chain of command going from the top down. Though the lower party officials have a chance to have their views articulated to the Party's hierarchy, once a final decision have been taken by the top leaders, all party members are obligated to abide along party lines. Party elites dominate the decision making. Virtually every other aspect of China's politics and government, including the policy process and relations between the state and society, are derived from that fundamental truth. (p.708).

In addition, Sodaro stated that party supremacy over the government, the military and other institutions is achieved through a combination of oversight and personal appointments. Within all government ministries, factories, schools and other work units is a party committee that monitors compliance with party directives. The arty also nominates or approves all key personnel, from cabinet ministries, university departments and bank officials. (p.709) it is evident that Mao's government in terms of decision making and policy direction are dependent on the Communist Party's stand and advocacy. In addition, the binding effect of said decisions to lower party instrumentalities shows the degree of discipline and more importantly, commitment to realize the decision through.

Another pertinent aspect of Mao's government is the vital reforms he did to make government more responsive to the needs of the people. These reforms are seen in the manner in which he made policies geared towards a government that unifies, transforms and modernizes Chinese society. Tieves (1997) noted that under Mao, the government spearheaded moves to re-integrate a fractured Chinese society based on national unity. This is necessary because during that time society was fragmented. After unifying society, Mao went on to transform society's political and social system by establishing new rules. These rules include cracking down on prostitution, prohibiting the use of opium and disallowing arranged marriages. The government likewise implemented land reform to peasant farmers. The last segment entails modernization which seeks to restores agricultural and industrial production to levels before the Japanese invasion as well as adopting the Soviet model of rapid industrialization.

Mao also focuses on the role of the peasantry in nation building. Hagopian (1995) revealed that Mao's emphasis on the role of the peasantry both before and after the communist victory in 1949 is doubtless related to his own rural background. In the 1920s he had already termed the peasants the "driving force" of the Chinese Revolution. This separated him from the more orthodox communist who believed on the notion of an urban centered proletarian revolution. The revolutionary strategy of Mao was grounded on retreating from the cities to the countryside and the peasants. The rural base areas would implement lad reform and other policies designed to attract peasants to communism. Over time, these areas would multiply and expand and in the end the countryside will surround the cities. (pp. 136-137).

The Great Leap Forward in 1958-1959 showed Mao's desire to develop the Chinese domestic economy. The policy was intended to industrialize China without the aid of technology which is a primary requisite in every drive to industrialization. Mao believed that he could utilize the collective enthusiasm of the masses and hope to offset any technical problems that may arise. Mao established communes. These communes are large scale economic and administrative units each combining ten or more villages. Work teams were sent out to mobilize the efforts of peasants and organize their work. Sometimes they work twenty four hours shifts of intensive labor.

During Mao's rule of China, the domestic economy was centrally planned by the state. Targets were set by the government on the manufacturing and agricultural sector. Their approach however is heavily labor intensive, with little use of technology, the cost of production increased and wastages abound because human intervention was quite prevalent in the production process. The economy's rise is somewhat slow given the use of little technology as Mao relied too much on manual labor to drive industries and the agricultural sector.

In Mao's term there were debates between members of the Communist Party. The conflicting parties include a group considered as technically sound in administrative and scientific skills and a group who has the ability to mobilize society along ideological lines. Mao is torn between which group should lead the party. The power struggle between these two groups eventually took its toll in government policies.

It was within this context that Mao's Cultural Revolution went into full swing. The Cultural Revolution was anchored on an encompassing change, a challenge to the hegemony of the communist party. MacFarquhar (2006) noted that Mao wanted to tear down what he had done so much to create. In my view, the Cultural Revolution is a reflection of the people's need to genuine participation which was curtailed for some time. Mao wanted the people to question those who are in authority, to raise concerns on the validity of policies and its implications on their lives. Mao through the Cultural Revolution wanted the people to think for themselves, to live their lives on their own terms.

The demise of Mao likewise led to some considerable changes in the political and economic system of China. From a centrally planned and closed economy, China began to reintegrate itself slowly to the prevailing capitalist system. From an economy driven by decisions of the communist party, China began accepting the rule of market forces. From meeting quotas set by the government, the manufacturing and agricultural sectors are moved by the laws of supply and demand. Monopolies were broken down and price controls were eliminated. Producers are now free to sell their produce in the open market as well as pursue profit.

The private sector became a more important player in the economy and in coordination with the state that still sets the rules in the economy; both entities have proven to be vital cogs in sustaining economic growth. Clearly, efforts have been made in abandoning previous approaches of establishing equity, by having a utopic society in which everyone is equal, to a more viable approach of fueling the drive to economic development. These reconfigurations in my view are the end products of Mao's progressive stance as seen in the Cultural Revolution which questions the actions and decisions made by leaders. The people's inputs are very important to make government more attuned to the true needs of the citizens.