Social and Economic Events of the Chinese Economic Revolution (1949 - 2013)

Diploma Thesis , 2013 , 101 Pages , Grade: 10/10

Orientalism / Sinology - Chinese / China

The purpose of this thesis is to identify how the Chinese Economic Revolution has caused economic and social gaps between the poor and the rich. Nowadays, unfortunately, many Chinese still live in poverty, considering that China has overpopulation with 1.369’811.000 citizens. The phenomenon of overpopulation has led to the creation of the “One Child Policy”, which has consequences: aging population, abortions; thus violation of human rights.

There is the need to inquire deeply into the history of China, its beliefs, its dynasties, and its government. Thereby, it is easier to determine the main reasons and consequences of their economic revolution. The People's Republic of China or the "Middle Kingdom", founded in 1954, shows its Sino-centrism throughout its political, economic and social history. On the other hand, the Communist Party of China, with Xi Jinping as president, is the essence for the orientation of the interests of the Chinese, for the development of China’s productivity, and for the starting point that the government uses to make national and international decisions.

Mao Tse Tung and Deng Xiaoping were the promoters of the transformation of China. Mao Tse Tung based mainly on the socialist industrialization and socialist agricultural changes; however, those events were the reason of millions of deaths in China and the worst famine of the world. Deng Xiaoping followed the development process of Maoism, but he did it whit his own ideals, such as: application of economic reforms, trade liberalization, implementation of productivity factors. It helped to establish an economic model of investment, saving and exports in China.

Nowadays, China’s social development faces challenges to which economic and social policies will need to answer for. A main challenge is to fight for the high inequality in incomes, consumption; and access to education, health care, jobs and social protection. In addition, China not only needs to overcome the rapid aging of the population, but also, it needs to manage growing cultural, social and economic diversity to reduce the gap between the poor and the rich and decrease the current human rights violation.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• INTRODUCTION
• CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND
  • 1.1. Overview of the People's Republic of China
    • 1.1.1 Population and Geography
    • 1.1.2 History
    • 1.1.3 Government
    • 1.1.4 China's Currency
    • 1.1.5 People
    • 1.1.6 Beliefs and religion
    • 1.1.7 Language
    • 1.1.8 Art and culture
  • 1.2. Global vision of the economic and social situation in China
    • 1.2.1 Viewpoint of the United States of America: world power
    • 1.2.2 Viewpoint of the European Union
    • 1.2.3 Viewpoint of South America countries
    • 1.2.4 Chinese opinion of their own situation
• CHAPTER 2: MAOISM AND ITS INFLUENCE IN THE ECONOMY OF CHINA (1949-1978)
  • 2.1. History of Maoism period
    • 2.1.1 Who was Mao Tse Tung?
    • 2.1.2 Mao political ideology and its implementation in the CPC
• CHAPTER 3: CHINESE ECONOMIC BOOM WITH DENG XIAOPING (1979-2013)
  • 3.1. Deng Xiaoping
  • 3.2 Economy Reform in 1978
  • 3.3. Legacies of the economic evolution of China
    • 3.3.1 Advantages
    • 3.3.2 Disadvantages
• CHAPTER 4: CHALLENGES OF CHINA
  • 4.1 Poverty and wealth in China
  • 4.2. Economic Reform vs. Social Inequality
  • 4.3. Social Gaps of China
    • 4.3.1 Unequal access to education
    • 4.3.2 Unequal distribution of government expenditures
    • 4.3.3 Hukou System Restrictions
    • 4.3.4 Land Policy
    • 4.3.5 Workers rights
  • 4.4 Human Rights Violation
  • 4.5. Economic reform plans announced by the Chinese Government
    • 4.5.1 Policy implications to reduce disparities
• CHAPTER 5: FUTURE OF CHINA
  • 5.1. Chinese Economic Projections
  • 5.2. Prediction of Rural-Urban situations up to 2030
  • 5.3 Possible solutions to decrease the latent social gap in the Republic of China

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis aims to analyze the social and economic events that have shaped the Chinese economic revolution from 1949 to 2013. The study explores the historical context, key figures, and policies that have driven China's remarkable economic growth. By examining the successes and challenges of China's economic transformation, this thesis seeks to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of development in a rapidly changing global context.

• The impact of Maoism on the Chinese economy.
• The economic reforms implemented under Deng Xiaoping.
• The social consequences of China's economic boom, including inequality and human rights.
• The challenges and opportunities facing China in the future.
• The impact of global perspectives on China's economic development.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Chapter 1 provides a comprehensive overview of the People's Republic of China, focusing on its population, geography, history, government, currency, people, beliefs, language, art, and culture. It also explores global perspectives on the economic and social situation in China, including viewpoints from the United States, the European Union, South America, and China itself.

Chapter 2 delves into the era of Maoism and its influence on the Chinese economy from 1949 to 1978. This chapter examines the history of Maoism, the political ideology of Mao Tse Tung, and its implementation in the Chinese Communist Party (CPC). It explores the impact of Maoism on China's economic development, including the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution.

Chapter 3 focuses on the Chinese economic boom under Deng Xiaoping from 1979 to 2013. This chapter examines Deng Xiaoping's leadership, the economic reforms implemented in 1978, and their legacies. It explores the advantages and disadvantages of China's economic evolution, highlighting both the positive aspects of its growth and the social challenges that have emerged.

Chapter 4 explores the challenges facing China, including poverty, wealth inequality, social gaps, human rights violations, and the impact of economic reforms. This chapter examines the unequal access to education, the unequal distribution of government expenditures, the Hukou system restrictions, land policy, and workers' rights. It also discusses the economic reform plans announced by the Chinese government to address these challenges.

Chapter 5 looks at the future of China, focusing on economic projections, predictions for rural-urban situations up to 2030, and possible solutions to decrease social gaps.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The primary keywords and focus topics of this thesis include China's economic revolution, Maoism, Deng Xiaoping, economic reforms, social inequality, human rights, poverty, wealth disparities, education, Hukou system, land policy, workers' rights, and future economic projections.

• Grade: 10/10
• Author: Verónica Álvarez Álvarez (Author)
• Publication Year: 2013
• Pages: 101
• Catalog Number: V351206
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668386112
• ISBN (Book): 9783668386129
• Language: English
• Tags: china, poverty, economic revolution, social gaps