1. The Chinese Communist Party was founded to resolve problems of wealth inequality and to address the shortcomings of capitalism in China. However, it currently faces some of the same problems that its predecessors faced in terms of poverty, unemployment, wealth inequality, and providing services to its people. Why is this and in what ways (if any) is the CCP still pursuing socialists goals and employing socialists means?
The Chinese Communist Party has had significant changes over the years, particularly while Deng Xiaoping's was the leader. This party is considered a communist party. Leader Hu Jintao, in 2006, described the needs of a fresh, new system based on core socialist values. The CCP continues to pursue socialists’ goals and employs socialists’ means because socialism embodies a national spirit of patriotism, innovation and reform, disgrace and honour and a modern, spiritual civilization as a core (Chinese Community Party, 2013). The country is currently in primary stages of socialism. A member of this party is encouraged to obey orders, be united and disciplined while at the same serving the people of the country and the party in order to promote this socialist way of living life.
2. You read about numerous impacts of China's economic rise both internationally and domestically. Identify at least one issue that you believe the CCP will be able to resolve in the long run and one that you don't believe the CCP will be able to solve without major changes to the government, party, or the country.
One impact the Chinese Communist Party will not be able to solve without implementing major changes to the government party and the country is the fact that the party will not be able to increase competitiveness and innovation without the type of liberalization embodied in the West, thus a modern economy is not projected any time soon (Chinese Communist Party, 2013). However, one impact they may be able to solve in the long-run is how China could develop a plan, due to it being a one-party system, on development nationally in order to sustain stability with its political system while at the same time avoiding platforms of alternative parties who support opposite and different ideologies (Six Advantages, 2010).
Exercise: You are advising a government/business/NGO (choose one) about China's economy and its future economic growth. Write a short recommendation to your organization's leadership about the most important issue that they should be aware of. This choice will be depending on the type of organization you choose. For instance, if your organization is military, then you'll need to select an issue which involves how China's economy impacts the PLA or the country's overall security situation. Alternatively, if you are working for a private company you could speak to how China's economy will welcome or compete with your products.
As a private company, it is viewed that China’s most significant challenge is avoiding the middle-income trap and stay focused on becoming a high-income country, just as their goal suggests, by 2030 (China and the Global Economy, 2015). Furthermore, structure, institutional and systematic issues have been deemed as barriers which are impacting development. China has recently initiatives structural reform which aims to raise incomes and also positively impact wellness and living into the future (China and the Global Economy, 2015). Thus, a more sustainable, safe and slow form of growth will be beneficial to China and its citizens, which in turn is positive for the rest of the globe.
References
Lagarde, C. China and the Global Economy: Creating New Ingredients for Growth. 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2016 at https://www.imf.org/external/np/speeches/2015/032015.htm
Schuman, M. 2013. TIME. The Chinese Communist Party’s Biggest Obstacle is the Chinese Communist Party. Retrieved 1 February 2016 at http://world.time.com/2013/11/25/the-chinese-communist-partys-biggest-obstacle-is-the-chinese-communist-party/
Six Advantages of China’s Political System. 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2016 at http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2010-03/19/content_9615376.htm
