Private property may be newest right in China

Sac Bee ^ | 12/22/03 | Joe McDonald - AP

[NormsRevenge]

BEIJING (AP) - China's leaders sent its legislature a proposed constitutional amendment on Monday to protect private property for the first time since the 1949 communist revolution - a key step toward cementing the status of capitalism in a nation undergoing radical change.

[Fee]

This is a positive step. China in terms of size is equal to Canada, Alaska and 48 US States combined,yet most of the population live in the central eastern part of the country. Tibet and Sanjing is sparsely populated, because there is no incentive to settle, develop and link the region to the rest of the country. Overpopulation in terms of persons per developed square mile will undermine China, and history has shown that it can be a pretext for expansionism and war. Private property will create the incentive for prospecting in these remote, but resource rich regions. If settlers are allowed to own as much land that they can manage and develop and have as much children as possible. I think China can develop these regions in very much the same way the US settled the West in the 19th Century. Private ownership and self reliance will create an interesting social dynamic in their society that is dominated by communualism. Chinese "cowboys" anybody??

[lelio]

Comments?

[Husker24]

China in terms of size is equal to Canada, Alaska and 48 US States combined,yet most of the population live in the central eastern part of the country

In population China is about Four times the size of the United States and Canada combined.

[Protagoras]

China moves toward property rights as we move away. I wonder when we will meet in the middle?

[Steel Wolf]

In terms of size, China is slightly smaller than just the U.S. As far as pushing West, they'll soon run into the Uighers and other Muslim groups out in Xinjiang. The Chinese have been quite brutal in suppressing them, but if the population shifts West, they'll be closer to hostile borders.

[11B3]

Hey China: Let's see you put that genie back in the bottle!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA

Witness the beginning of the end of communist China. The old ruling class may just live long enough to see a free China, but as long as they hold onto the communist formula for government, they will remain a third world nation. Take your pick China - if you want to be a superpower, you've got to let your people free. You can't have it both ways, it doesn't work like that.

[bandleader]

It's Happening!What was it that Lenin said(or was it Stalin)?Aren't we(Capitalists)supposed to"Hang Ourselves"??

[TimSkalaBim]

The proposed amendment on property says "private property obtained legally shall not be violated," according to Xinhua.

As written, this appears to be stronger and more protective language than the property clause in our own Constitution, which just says property cannot be taken without just compensation.

Of course, the Chinese communists probably know, from our own example, that the recognition of private property rights doesn't necessarily limit the powers of the state; we are "free" to own property in the U.S., but government at all levels tells us how we can use it, and compels us to pay taxes on it for all time. Maybe I'm cynical, but it seems to me the ChiComs give up nothing by recognizing "private property."

[Protagoras]

Maybe I'm cynical, but it seems to me the ChiComs give up nothing by recognizing "private property."

Just as our government doesn't.

Property privately owned but government controled is one definition of fascism.

[skraeling]

Private property changes the mindset of those who think they own it. They may even fight to keep it.

[11B3]

Property privately owned means more than just having the real estate deed - in order to actually own the land you must patent it. Then you are absolved from many (if not all) of the governmental controls and authority on your property.

[Protagoras]

I have no understanding of what you are trying to convey.

[Protagoras]

Private property changes the mindset of those who think they own it.

They may even fight to keep it.

Not too much in this country. Instead of horsewhipping those who steal it, they meekly turn over control of it.

[maui_hawaii]

China has ammended its constitution on a fairly regular basis.

People in China have had private property for a long time. The laws are just starting to catch up. In China, much of the time, laws don't mean a whole lot, especially depending on who one is, or is fighting in court.

What they are doing IMO is laying a foundation in their legal system (for what thats worth). There are still major problems with the legal system, but none the less one cannot look a gift horse in the mouth.

I think its symbolic more than anything.