Deng Xiaoping Theory Made Easily Accessible: A Review

Deng Xiaoping theory made easily accessible:

A Review of the Book  Fundamental Issues in Present Day China

By Jan Freidun Taravosh December 9th 2009

"Poverty is not Socialism" 

 - Deng Xiaoping

Deng Xiaoping theory made easily accessible

A review of Fundamental Issues in Present Day China

Introduction:

like him or dislike him, no matter what your personal opinion is about Deng Xiaoping or Comrade Deng as he is more commonly called, one cannot deny that he is one of the most important personas on the arena of world politics of or our time. All thought he is no longer living his legacy has left a mark on today’s world in The People’s Republic of China and Beyond. 

Apart from playing an important role in formulating the policy of one country two systems which has provided a platform for peaceful reunification in China which has already led to reunifying the former British colony Hong Kong with the Chinese Mainland and since event in recent years, the same can be about the former Portuguese colony Macao. Deng Xiaoping came up with the concept “Socialism with Chinese Characteristics” known as the Deng Xiaoping Theory this theory literally opened up a new chapter unprecedented in the history of  development of China.

Fundamental issues in Present-Day China Review

Part I:

What is great about this book?

Some People. seem to love it, others seem to hate it - But most of all it seems few people understand fully this theory. Published in 1987 and with a translation which was overseen by the Author himself before publication. This selection of talks and speeches or varying length as translated the bureau for the compilation and translation of works, of Marx,Engels, Lenin an Stalin under the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and published by Foreign Languages Press is a great attempt and presenting this concept of thought in an easy accessible way to the world outside of China.

Part II:

A Much Needed Insight

This book thus gives a much needed insight to the complex and dynamic developments of society in accordance with the specific characteristics of the China PR, as a Developing country. The collection of speeches and talks include honest and open-hearted talks with friends like Robert Gabriel Mugabe and foes like Margret Tatcher among other things.

In one of the above mentioned talks with  Comrade Mugabe Deng explains socialism with Chinese characteristics and the history of china with these words.

 

“In the past China made the mistake of trying to plunge ahead to fast. We hope you will give special consideration yo our negative experiences. Of course one can learn from the experiences of other countries but one must never copy everything they have done.”

Part: III

Economic development and beyond

The main topic of the book is of course economic development and among other things the basic idea of special economic zones like Shanghai is explained, which to some socialist may seem unconventional but has nevertheless become a natural reality for the Chinese and brought a new dynamic into the economic development of the country. important to note is however that this book does not only deal with economy, reunification, peace and stability ideology, culture and not to forget international relations is also dealt with. Famous speeches that give a clear cut view of what the Deng Xiaoping theory is about include “Build socialism with Chinese characteristics” “On special economic zones and opening up more to the outside world” Only through reform can China develop it’s productive forces” “Peace and development are the to outstanding issues in today’s world” The One Country, two systems is based on Chinese Realities” and “Take a Clear Stand Against Bourgeois liberalization” among others.  

Part IV:

 A Great Place to Start if wish to Learn More About the Deng Xiaoping Theory

As a book “Fundamental issues”  will open your eyes more to the versatile dynamics of China PR. 

Let alone that this might not be the most thorough book on the matter it is never the less a great place to start. The quagmire that puzzles most scholars in the west, out of the progressive camp and within is how to interpret China. 

In the  West two perspectives are dominating one a  very one sided and two a very theoretically mechanic view of China. none of which are particularly accurate. 

Part V:

Fundamental Issues in Present Day China Provides an Open-Hearted View: 

Directly from China PR.

To fully understand China you must first have an open mind concerning the fact that the Chinese Society according to many people with in the progressive camp and the establishment alike - is not the theme of this book. it is not concerned with what is generally seen  seem to apply with the traditional view of how a society should be built in the west - be it according to western socialist or western conservatives. 

 i.e this  books main focus is as  how to build Socialism with Chinese characteristics by Deng Xiaoping it is not Chinese socialism according to western scholars - and I advise anyone, that regardless if the content of this book fully corresponds with your personal view of socialism or not - please be advised to read it anyway. In doing so  you can at least have a better understanding of the actual concept. 

Part VI

Building Socialism is No Easy Job

Again this  is directly from the source - a translation overseen by the author himself. As Published in 1987. It’s not only deal with developments in China but in the world in general, which is interesting  As the Author Himself puts it in another talk with Comrade Mugabe - “Building socialism is no easy job” - I think one should always keep this fact in mind before being quick to judge . 

Part VII

An Important and Educational Read

Somehow people tend to overlook the importance of Deng Xiaoping Theory  - because it  is not seen as being as “purely” communist as the concept of Mao Redoing Thought. 

Considered “purely communist” or not, this book is never the less an important and educational read.  

There are those who are under the impression that “Communist China  went totally bad” or  “totally sold out to capitalism” after Chariman Mao passed, but I think this is  a view, which is  as naive as it is unscientific. 

On the other hand: Those of you who really wish to learn something new about development  must think again. I advise you to keep the following in mind.  China under Chairman Mao had not achieved communism  in mind that China PR - was then and still remains today a large country going through dynamic process of development - this cannot be oversimplified.

Or as Deng himself described it on the back cover

“Our modernization programme is a socialist programme not anything else. All our policies for carrying out reform, opening up to the outside world and invigorating the the domestic economy are designed to develop the socialist economy. [...]”

I recommend anyone to read this book, and to do so with an open mind.

I really enjoyed reading it, as it is not a difficult read.