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Comparing Mao Zedong's And Deng Xiaoping

Decent Essays

In light of the economic changes that had occurred from the Maoist period (1949-1976) to the post-Maoist period (1978-2011) of China, the system of economic distribution of China under Mao Zedong’s and Deng Xiaoping’s leadership created a notable contrast of the standards of living for Chinese citizens. Mao Zedong’s establishment of collectively owned lands and state entitlement in the 1950s to 1970s put an end to private ownership and created a system whereby the earnings of Chinese citizens were paid per capita basis, reducing income differences. Upon the death of Mao Zedong and his system, Deng Xiaoping’s establishment of the privatization of lands and economic liberalization under his “Four Modernizations” reform goal created a system …show more content…

Chen Huiqin described how peasants like herself were initially obtaining more money than they were under Mao Zedong’s leadership by working under the piecework reward system and family responsibility system that allowed land and other resources to be contracted to individual families. In addition to this newly instated private acquisition of resources, small-scale township and village enterprises (TVE’s) were established by farmers who invested in or established food processing organizations. The new system of resource privatization and business organization growth also caused local businesses, such as Chen Huiqin’s warping business, to decline due to peasants managing to make more money working in factories while creating similar products at a cheaper price. The post-Maoist period even included opportunities for Chinese citizens to pursue their own business goals and leave their “iron rice bowl” careers that had previously constricted Chinese citizens to a singular lifestyle, such as the case with Chen Huiqin’s son, Shebao, and his decision to start a business after quitting his job. The financial system reflected Post-Maoist ideals of economic development, Chinese modernization, and market capitalism that was supported under Deng Xiaoping’s

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