u/ThePoopOutWest - originally from r/GenZhou
I know there are differences between Deng’s China and, say, Gorbachev’s USSR or post 1986 Vietnam, but I’m not sure what they are. I suspect it has to do with control by a principled party but I could be off. Can someone help?

Edit: to clarify, I’m not one of those who will say “China and America??? Basically the same!!!” or that Deng is revisionist. Was just more curious about what the reforms were in both examples and how they fall in a Marxist analysis

  • @archive_botOPB
    7•2 years ago

    u/therealwheeze - originally from r/GenZhou
    Great response comrade. Does the book contain any examples of these anti-materialist analyses and anti-materialist/revisionist criticisms of Stalin and Mao? Also, is there another good resource on topics such as class character?

    I ask as I’ve been debating an anarchist recently who basically doesn’t agree that any of China’s positive economic and social developments mean anything, because they don’t believe the CPC has China’s best interests at heart and only want to consolidate power. They also don’t agree with using a market economy even for socialist purposes, as exploitation in any form is considered unacceptable by their philosophy. Hoping Boer’s text might prove useful for disproving some of this!

    • @archive_botOPB
      6•2 years ago

      u/Green_Plant57 - originally from r/GenZhou
      The book is mostly focused on SWCC and doesn’t talk all that much about revisionism or its criticisms. There are some but it refutes them by explaining the theoretical basis for SWCC rather than directly addressing the argument. It does however contain refutes to ultra-left maoist arguments against SWCC. If I’m remembering correctly, it specifically addresses the Gang of Four and the cultural revolution’s negative impact on China and why reform was necessary in the first place.

      It does have two chapters about Chinese democracy that would be of use for you argument however (chapter 8 titled “socialist democracy in practice” and 9 titled “socialist democracy in theory”). It explains their grass-roots democracy and meritocracy which can help with refuting the argument that they are all corrupt and the people don’t have a say in leadership, rather than being servants of the working class. There is also economic information through the first chapters talking about the socialist market economy that would be of use also.

      The only other good book I know of in English (there are tons in Chinese) about the class character and theory of SWCC is “Marxism and Socialism With Chinese Characteristics” by Jin Huiming. It goes much more in-depth, being almost twice as long as the first book I mentioned, but I haven’t read as much of it so I don’t know what specifically it says about class character. It covers the theoretical basis very well though.

      Hope this helps :)