How Deng Xiaoping, architect of China's rise, defined the decade

NYDailyNEws.com ^ | Thursday, December 30th 2010 | Mallory Factor

[Hotlanta Mike]

As 2010 closes, Americans might be inclined to consider Osama Bin Laden or George W. Bush as Person of the Decade. (All the better if Bin Laden would agree to pick up the award in person.) But the designation should actually go to someone who is less familiar to us - and who has been dead since 1997: Deng Xiaoping, the former "paramount leader" of China.

When Deng took power in 1978, China was still a poor country with collective farms and virtually the entire economy under state control. Mao had been dead for only two years, and his Cultural Revolution, which killed millions and exiled Deng himself to the countryside for "re-education," was a fresh memory.

Deng laid the foundations for the most breathtaking national transformation in world history.

[Hotlanta Mike]

"Deng left a legacy that powered China into a leadership role for the 21st century. Because that rise will likely continue to be for the rest of our lives, Deng might even prove Person of the Century."

[ClearCase_guy]

I think there is a lot to this.

Some years ago, the WSJ ran an interesting article on Hitler's Third Reich. They asked "If the Third Reich had survived WWII, and lasted until the 1990's, what would Germany look like?"

Their answer: It would look a lot like China.

[Hotlanta Mike]

I think there is a lot to this.
Some years ago, the WSJ ran an interesting article on Hitler’s Third Reich. They asked “If the Third Reich had survived WWII, and lasted until the 1990’s, what would Germany look like?”

Their answer: It would look a lot like China.

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State capitalism, as Glen Beck refers to it.

[spetznaz]

I wish more FReepers would read the article. So called ‘Red’ China stopped being communist during Deng’s tenure, becoming something far more capable and far more dangerous. While old Cold Warriors still rustle at the slightest squint Putin makes, all along it is China (not Russia) that sells the West the rope with which it will hang itself. I find it astounding how some come religiously (they know themselves) post threads on the ‘Soviet Union,’ yet ignore a nation that is what the USSR could only hope to be economically, and a nation that has openly placed itself on a collusion course with the USA. It is like some chap posting frightening tales of (the extinct and not that dangerous) Tasmanian ‘Tiger,’ yet ignoring the rabid leopard crouching in his front porch chewing on his daughter!

[goldstategop]

Compared to Mao’s time, Chinese today have the freedom to earn money, to have a good life and expect their children to have one and within limits - they can criticize their government. Until China spawns a huge middle class, a transition to democracy is still aways off.

[Niuhuru]

True. I just wonder if the Chinese fundamentally care at all, they may just be interested in letting the government deal with the problems that come up instead. As for the middle class, it’ll take some time for that to come about.