Modernization and revolution in China from the opium wars to world power - Essay Example

June Grass, Modernization and Revolution in China: From the Opium Wars to World Power Chapter 12 Review Chapter 12 Review China has been about leadership succession throughout its history. Each generation of Chinese leaders bring with it a change in the just about everything that is occurring from politics to art and certainly involving all of the cultural aspects. This remains true when the fourth generation arrives or (New Generation) of leaders. This paper will discuss chapter 12 and the Fourth Generation Shortly after Jiang Zemen and his 3rd generation of leaders took over power from Den Xiaopeng and other revolutionaries, China began to face a new political succession. Most of the 3rd generation were in their 70's at the time. The New Generation of leaders is important because when the Fourth Generation took over it changed everything including the top ministry level throughout the country. This was very much a cultural revolution. Unfortunately there are many things that we do not know as there have not been many studies related to this generation. This generation of leaders grew up believing in Mao. They later found that their idolism was shattered as they became better educated and began to understand the issues. They, however, acquired political skills as a habit of having a chance to think independently. This is a generation that on top of all of that has bore the burden of what is called the cultural generation as well as paying the cost of the reform movement. The reform is really two China's which is confusing to the rest of the world as well as the Chinese. Officially this is a nation of patriots not nationalists. The Party is the embodiment and object of patriotic sentiment. This is meant to make China strong and gain and hold its rightful place in the world. However, even with all of this happening, one must remember that the history of China is rooted in the earlier generations and official discourse. This is all very much linked to the Communist Party. The "Motherland" or China has had many periods in its history of invasion by foreign powers. Many lost their lives in these wars and there were many martyrs for the country. The Party used Marxism-Leninism to bring the country together. They used this to show the fate of the nation and its people and the same time point out the correct direction and path for strengthening their country and making it stronger economically. This has all proven to be quite successful. The success of the country now, of course, is because of the Party and it is centre in the economic development. This has all brought about a new generation of leadership which is called the Fourth generation. There are some pretty specific characteristics about this leadership group. Often called the "Cultural Revolution" generation. All experienced CR either as recent graduates or whilst still at university. Only Li Changchun temporarily involved in Red Guard activities, then neutral. Most avoided participation or were criticized for siding with the authorities. Few had studied or travelled overseas before rising to prominence - viz. Hu Jintao's recent visit to Europe and the eager anticipation surrounding his visit to US Experience of provinces, particularly some of China's poorest - Hu Jintao in Gansu, Guizhou and Tibet - Wen in Gansu - Li Changchun and Luo Gan in Henan. Focus on poverty/economic development - both evident for example in Wen's role in agriculture. Closely involved with economic reforms/associations with most reform-minded sections of CCP from 1980s - Hu Jintao headed the Chinese Communist Youth League, Wen Jiabao worked with Zhao Ziyang - Li Changchun's record in Liaoning where he authorized China's first bankruptcy and defended this policy against criticism. First post-revolutionary generation - will this lead them to place less emphasis on the glories of the Party's past/be less hide-bound by official ideology - Role of Central Party School/Organization Department in "Three representatives" campaign. We must bear in mind that the "Third generation" are not departing entirely from the political scene. Their views/influence will remain, particularly through Jiang Zemin's "Three representatives". This in mind, the "Fourth generation" will probably continue to improve China's economic reforms and still maintain legitimate Party rule. China has had great economic success with the new political system even though it remains quite authoritarian. They have learned to turn things around in such a way as to be advantageous to their country and the economic struggles they have always faced. This generation of Chinese is the first generation that could travel regularly for example because they can afford it and because they have been allowed to. Don't look to hard though because there are certainly many restrictions still there for these people and on the one hand they are no friendly to Westerners due to the economic injection for their country but they do not want Western culture to take over their country. Another thing that has changed with this reform or fourth generation is the Chinese health care system, which changed post 1978 or reform era. The reforms economically have brought significant benefit to the Chinese people but it has not distributed evenly throughout China. The quality and quantity of healthcare services has actually diminished. This is particularly true of the rural areas and particularly of women. China's poorest regions are country regions and the level of accessibility to health care increases their morbidity and mortality. The chronicity of poverty in this country is still quite rampant though they might have us believe that they are doing quite well throughout the country at this point. This generation, as stated before, grew up with the tenets of Mao's Little Red Book and now there are 1.3 billion people who are trying to be commercially open and still maintain some of the teachings they grew up with. Human rights remains a major issue and though China continues to woo the west because of its money, it continues to crackdown on its people. Some foreign investments are accepted while others are not. This brings one to believe that this generation provides two Chinas. This makes a very confusing atmosphere for both American companies and the Chinese people. In the event that this difference in the two China's in resolved, and it must be, there will be an even more massive change which will change the global economy, again. What do I think about China In some ways, I am as confused as the people of China must be. They have had a long and perilous struggle through many wars and much loss but their leadership during much of this time was ruthless not only to the rest of the world but to its own people. In some ways, I understand why the US would do business with China and certainly they are headed toward being a major player in global economy. As the same time I am disappointed that we do business with a country that even though they are "revolutionized" continues to bear down upon its people and continues to keep them from the freedoms and education they seek. They seem to me to be at this point, "the sheep in wolfs clothing". I understand that we must begin to trust some of these countries that are struggling to change but I remain hesitant. References Grasso, J. Modernization and Revolution in China: From the Opium Wars to World Power, Chapter 12. Read More