China’s leaders might be called the “Communist Party”, but if Beijing is anything to go by, this nation is a celebration of a capitalism. So this is what happens when you mix market-minded capitalism with the heavy handed control of authoritarianism?
In the video below, Naomi Klein attempts to answer this question. She suggests that the millions of landless, homeless peasants act as the ‘Mexicans of China’, providing the unpleasant manual labour at a price that makes large scale projects possible. Also, the government can put money ahead of people by ensuring relaxed environmental/labour laws and barely policing the ones they’ve got. It’s the kind of thinking that’s made China the economic envy of many in the West, and the perfect partner for some of the world’s most successful businesses. Is the Chinese government providing the ultimate cocoon of capitalism, with the Olympics a crowning award from global capitalism’s heavyweights (ie. Olympic sponsors)?
Interesting commentary. Calling the current regime “Stalinist” without some nuancing of what is meant by that suggests some loose thinking, lack of historical reference and lack of care with words, that needlessly undermines the fairly thoughtful, relatively sensitive tone of the rest of the interview.
I agree that ‘awarding’ China the Olympics is a symbol that McCommunism works. It’s a tick of approval from the West. But putting aside serious concerns about human rights, is any self-confessed capitalist country a more worthy recipient? I’m not so sure.
Klein’s other point – that China’s economic success is because of communism, not despite of communism – is an interesting argument. It’s true that ridiculously cheap labour, corruption and few individual rights speeds up economic development, but in other ways it also slows it down. Opaque regulatory systems and an uncertain legal environment make foreigners reluctant to invest on large scales. It also undermines the economic foundation – driving inflation and stock market bubbles, for example.
@Des Welcome to the conversation! Thanks for posting on the blog.
You make a good point – actually, I think Klein’s description of 100 thousand ‘secret police’ is a little careless, too. I mean the military might be in polo tops and chinos, but they’re hardly secret. Also, Visa’s the Olympic sponsor, not Mastercard… Still, an interesting set of ideas.
As a big fan of No Logo and The Shock Doctrine, I was very excited to this video with Naomi Klein.
I found the video interesting, but found balance a little weird.
I don’t understand China’s economic model very well, nor is my understanding of Communism the best, but I think I get the jists of both.
I get the feeling China’s gone back to a more Totalitarianism style government like in the Mao-era, than the Communism it’s known for now. So why the McCommunism tag by Naomi? I get the Mc bit, but applied to a form of government that’s not really being practiced?
The focus of the government is clearly not in any way to develop the people. It’s all about selling as much as possible.
Naomi calls this the most successful economy in the world. Okay, so should we be following this model? Of course the answer is no. As Naomi also says, there’s a lot of dissent in China against the current policies.
What happens when human rights enter China? The McCommunism isn’t going to be doing so well then.
It’s only a matter of time before it’s over thrown. Why is The West celebrating this form of economic result, when it’s only temporary? It’s unstable, and unethical to boot.
If anyone can correct or clarify any of the above, I’d be greatly appreciative.
Peace,
Wade
“As Naomi also says, there’s a lot of dissent in China against the current policies.”
No. There isn’t.
@Liuzhou – so there’s not a lot of dissent in China? Do you have a theory about why that is? I just went and read some of your blog and it’s an interesting read – I’d love your thoughts on whether people approve of China’s policies or whether they just don’t feel that it’s possible to dissent? Tim
[…] story by Tim Longhurst (article here). This is my […]