Roadmap for Answer Writing Introduction Introduce the shared similarities between the Communist regimes in China and the USSR: Both adopted Marxist-Leninist ideology and one-party systems. Both underwent revolutions (Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 for the USSR, Chinese Revolution and Civil War for China leading to ...
The Chinese model of communism was significantly different from Soviet communism. Mao adopted a flexible model of communism in China which was based on decentralized industrialization and less focus on heavy industries. After Mao, Deng Xiaoping adopted policies of market socialism. His policies inclRead more
The Chinese model of communism was significantly different from Soviet communism. Mao adopted a flexible model of communism in China which was based on decentralized industrialization and less focus on heavy industries. After Mao, Deng Xiaoping adopted policies of market socialism. His policies included capitalist measures such as opening up the economy by reduction in trade barriers. Thus, under Deng China “gradually” moved towards a market economy model. Major factors which led to survival of Communism in China when it failed in USSR are following:
- China implemented the economic reforms before going for the political reforms. Deng gave choice in the market to the people i.e. choice to buy and sell and to have private ownership of goods and businesses but without giving them a choice in politics as China continued to have a one party system. Economic prosperity and independence pacified people’s demands for political freedom. In contrast, Mikhail Gorbachev tried to introduce political reforms and economic reforms through Glasnost and Perestroika in 1991 simultaneously. People blamed the poor economy on the political system of USSR and this led to disintegration of the USSR.
- The Left-Right split within the Communist party never deepened to the critical level of splitting the party. In contrast, the left-right divide in USSR was very strong. Boris Yeltsin openly criticised the socialist policies of the party in the last years of the USSR.
- Both Deng Xiaoping vs. Mikhail Gorbachev favoured a capitalist road and both were pro- economic reforms. But Xiaoping executed his policies much before, from 1976 onward, while Gorbachev came late to power (in 1985). Deng was ready to use force and believed firmly in one party system, but this was not the case with Gorbachev. Example, Deng used force during the Tiananmen Square (1989).
- Gorbachev was not ready to use force and was sympathetic to the demands for autonomy of the Soviet republics. Gorbachev even began to give in to the demands of a multi-party system after which the conservatives removed him in a coup.
- Ethnically and culturally, China was a much more homogeneous society as compared to the Soviet Union, which had around half non-Russian population. The soviet republics had different cultures and different languages. Thus demands for secession were much more in the USSR.
- The 100 Flowers Campaign (1957) acted as an early warning for China and Mao took timely corrective measures in the form of the Great Leap Forward (1958) to save the revolution and adopted a model of communism focusing on the agricultural economy, which was relevant to the needs of China. On other hand, Soviet communism failed to evolve and address the many problems being faced by the Soviet economy.
- Chinese Communism was flexible and there was unity among the party leaders which enabled it to survive. It changed with changing needs. Example, the Soviet Model was followed till 1958, after which Maoism in the form of Great Leap Forward influenced Chinese Communism. Deng Xiaoping from 1976 onward adopted market friendly economic policies which gradually culminated into adoption of Market Socialism.
- Chinese leadership emphasized “contact with the masses” more strongly than the USSR. The innovation of Communes helped in putting the party in touch with masses.
- USSR was much more involved in the Cold War, which hurt its economy by diverting precious resources.
Thus, it was the flexible approach and ability to evolve with changing needs of the time that ensured the success of communism in China while the lack of the same led to its failure in the USSR.
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Model Answer Reasons Why Communism Persisted in China but Not in the USSR 1. Reformist Approaches In China, under Deng Xiaoping, economic reforms were gradually implemented while maintaining the one-party system. These reforms allowed private ownership and market activity but avoided political liberRead more
Model Answer
Reasons Why Communism Persisted in China but Not in the USSR
1. Reformist Approaches
In China, under Deng Xiaoping, economic reforms were gradually implemented while maintaining the one-party system. These reforms allowed private ownership and market activity but avoided political liberalization, keeping the Communist Party’s authority intact. In contrast, the USSR under Mikhail Gorbachev introduced both economic (Perestroika) and political reforms (Glasnost) simultaneously, including multi-party elections. This openness led to democratization and eventually the disintegration of the Soviet Union, as the reforms weakened central control and allowed for the rise of independence movements in Soviet republicsourse Correction**
China’s leadership, particularly Mao Zedong, took timely corrective actions following the failures of campaigns like the Great Leap Forward. After the 100 Flowers Campaign in 1956-57, which revealed discontent, Mao adjusted policies to focus more on agricultural economy and market socialism. In contrast, Soviet Communism failed to adapt to the changing needs of its economy, which led to stagnation and a lack of popular support .
3. odels
China’s model emphasized decentralized industrialization and a focus on agriculture, which allowed for some degree of economic flexibility. On the other hand, the USSR focused heavily on centralized, state-run industries and engaged in costly Cold War conflicts, which drained resources and worsened the economic crisis .
4. Popular S National Identity
China benefited from a more homogeneous society with around 92% Han Chinese population, which allowed the CCP to forge a stronger national identity through Confucian values. Meanwhile, the USSR’s diverse ethnic composition (with Russians making up only 51% of the population) led to issues of national identity, and the Soviet model’s failure to address ethnic diversity contributed to the weakening of the union .
5. Repression
Deated a willingness to use force to suppress protests, such as during the Tiananmen Square incident in 1989. Conversely, Gorbachev was more sympathetic to the autonomy of Soviet republics, which led to a weakening of central authority and contributed to the collapse of the USSR .
In summary, China’s ability to adapt ecowhile maintaining strict political control allowed Communism to endure, whereas the USSR’s simultaneous political and economic reforms ultimately led to its downfall.
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