Deng Xiaoping on the Anti-rightist Campaign of 1957
As the secretary general of the CCP in 1957, Deng Xiaoping supported the advocacy of Mao Zedong towards the Anti-Rightist Movement. It was through Deng’s leadership that anti-rightist movements were implemented (Deng, 408). In his report as the secretary general, he pointed out that the emergence of the difficulties within the Party was rooted from social and ideological causes: a) First, a large number of the Party members do not belong from the working class; b) there was the rapid growth of the Party, but quality was neglected which resulted from the ideological and political acts to lag behind; and c) A significant occurrence was that the majority of the Party members joined only after victory (Deng, 408).
Further, Deng realized that there were bad elements who have gained access into important ranks in the Party. They were the rightist who dishonored the policies and the discipline imposed by the Party, thus, the secretary general decided on their eventual expulsion (Deng, 409). Consequently, Deng also reported how he advocated the continued election of the different functionaries from the excellent members of the workers and peasants. The policy of requiring the university, colleges and technical school graduate to initially engage in manual work allowed them to determine their field of specialty. Deng noted that as a means to raise the cultural and technical awareness of the production workers, these workers must endeavor to advance their education in colleges and universities.
Deng Xiaoping was one among the biggest supporter of Mao Xedong, and even during his self assessment, much of his mistakes as a leader of the secretariat, he attributed to the failure to heed the wisdom of later. Deng Xiaoping was not a perfect leader and he did not take an effort to hide his shortcomings in evaluating himself, “my last few years have been marked by a steady regression and due to my laxity in the study and use of Mao-Zedong, thought I have made a number of mistakes” (Deng, 454).
In evaluating himself, Xiaoping explained that as the leader of the Secretariat of the Central Committee, he had failed in many areas since he had, in some instances, objected on the thoughts of Mao Zedong. According to him, the occurrence of leftist excesses of 1964 can be attributed for the objections he made against Mao Zedong, though he also made some attribution to the errors he made prior to 1964. For instance, he cited some instances when he distanced himself from the public resulting in the lack of awareness of the social problems faced by the public under his leadership as the Secretary of the Central Committee.
His self-examination revealed that Mao Xiaoping was a strong leader who can be able to accept criticisms. For instance, he realized that much of his failure was due to his simplistic and inflexible manner of dealing with his everyday duties. Throughout his duty as the leader of the Secreatriat, he realized that he made ideological and administrative mistakes several times and these mistakes resulted to things that he would later regret. It was after he received a criticism from Mao Zedong that he was awakened from being too centrally focused on his opinion alone that he neglected to consult with others. Since then, he made a resolve to closely follow Mao’s example and ideologies: “I need to earnestly study Chairman Mao’s work, reform myself and correct my mistakes (Deng, 455).
Deng Xiapoing in his Fight Against Hemogenism
In his speech at the United Nations on April 10, 1974, Deng Xiaoping expressed his sentiments against the system of imperialism and hegemonism. He opened his speech in reference to the “important question of opposing imperialist exploitation and plunder and effecting change in international economic relations” (Deng, 465). He conveyed his thoughts about what he has observed that the economic situation in the international scene proved to favor only the developing countries. For instance, he explained that the uneven distribution of capitalism's development resulted in the disintegration of western imperialism. It was through his ingenious thought that the idea of three worlds was conceptualized.
During his speech at the United Nations, he spoke about the emergence of the three worlds. The First world was referred to as the United States and the Soviet union, while the third world were referred to as the developing countries in Asia, Africa, Latin American, while the developed countries between the two were referred to as the second world (Deng, 465). Accordingly, he cited how the first world members had been trying to seek world hegemony and accused the United States and Soviet Union in attempting to control the less developed countries.
Based on his speech, Deng stood against the United States and the Soviet Union whom he accused as the oppressors of the developing countries as well as the developed countries that do not match their strength (Deng, 465). For instance, he communicated how he thought that the two superpowers during that time were the possible source of another war as they possessed nuclear powers and has been in the race of creating massive military forces in their country and other parts of the world. He cited how these super powers continued to control developing countries, even after years of decolonization.
He clarified that the international advocacy towards ‘balanced reduction of forces’, as well as the ‘strategic arms limitations’ were not possible, as the two superpowers, which he referred to as the Untied States and the Soviet Union had been racing towards world hegemony. He alleged that any agreement that may be reached, were just for the show because such agreements were intended as façade and deception. While these two countries talked about disarmament, their actions were directed towards the expansion of their military powers. He described how the first world countries intensified their efforts to influence countries in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf among others (Deng, 466). Nevertheless, he advocated that despite the power of the first world countries, it was the developing countries who will eventually have the upper hand. According to Deng Xiaoping, the sustained struggle and unity of the developed and developing countries were powerful enough to fight hegemony. It was through his speech that he was able to convey how countries around the world wanted independence and liberation while the people clamored for a change. His speech inspired the developing countries to strengthen their cooperation in order to win despite the continuous struggles.
Deng Xiaopeng as the Leader of the Party Heirarchy
In 1978, Deng Xiaoping delivered another speech which was addressed to the audience at the closing session of the Central Committee. While the speech was focused on the programs that were intended for the further development of science and technology, national defense and industry (Deng, 493). His speech indicated a departure from the CCP’s past systems, yet there was a clear assertion of the importance of Mao Zedong’s ideologies and Marxist-Lenism that he remained subscribed to the authoritative form of government (Deng, 493). Further, Xiaoping talked about the need for the emancipation of the mind, and people and the government must critically use an in depth analysis to achieve a better future. He expressed that unless an emancipated mind was achieved, can people and the government find the right solutions to the existing and emerging societal problems.
Deng Xiaoping and the Martial Law
Deng Xiaopeng played a key role in the Martial Law event in Tianmen Square, where a confrontation occurred between the students who protested and the military troops. After midnight of June 4, 1989, the military eventually used their force to disperse the crowd and fired indiscriminately. The event resulted in the massive casualties and while he was implicated, it was not clearly established on whether Xiaoping ordered the massacred of the demonstrators. Deng Xiaopeng delivered his speech during the Martial Law in 1989 and it contained some points which were crucial at that moment. While he expressed his sympathy to the people who participated in the struggle, he stated how he knew that the event was bound to happen. He referred to an editorial in the People’s Daily that appeared to have predicted that the tragic event in Tianmen Square was bound to occur in no time. His speech showed his resolve, and proceeded to explain that the demonstrators were not ordinary people by were members of a rebellious group and were the dregs of the society (Deng, 561).
The documents showed how Deng Xiaping has evolved to become a strong Chinese leader, and he characterized the epitome of a leader who was willing to learn and change. During his younger years as the leader of the secretariat, he went through a lot of self-examination and was keen on following orders from Mao Zedong. Through the process, he was able to develop the strength of character that has helped him in advancing his political career. Nevertheless, he remained as a keen follower of Mao Zedong’s teachings and used Mao’s principles in most of his political decisions.
Works Cited
"Deng Xiaopeng: Emancipate the Mind, Seek Truth from Facts and Unite as One in Looking to the Future." Redefining Revolution. N.p., n.d. Print.
"Deng Xiaopeng's Explanation of the Crackdowns." Testing the Limits. N.p., n.d. Print.
"Deng Xiaoping: Self Criticsm." The Cultural Revolution. N.p., n.d. Print.
"Deng Xiaoping: Speech at the United Nations." Reopening the Door. N.p., n.d. Print.
"Deng Xiaoping: The Antirightist Campaign." Planning the New Society. N.p., n.d. Print.
