Notes on China's Economic Growth, Family Policies, and Democratic Movements

Economic Growth and Tax Breaks in China

  • The Chinese government offers tax breaks for businesses that establish factories in designated special economic zones.
  • This policy is seen as a part of a capitalist approach to stimulate economic growth, rather than a confidence-based strategy.
  • Significant economic growth has been observed, leading to:
    • Increased prosperity for millions of people.
    • Improved diets and reduced mortality rates.
    • Declines in poverty rates.
    • Urban construction efforts and increases in exports.

Government Control and Family Policies

  • Despite economic growth, the Chinese state maintains strict control over various aspects of society.
  • A notable family planning policy was the "One Child Policy" which was phased out in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
  • The government now encourages larger families due to:
    • Aging population with a growing older generation.
    • Smaller younger generation resulting in potential economic instability.
  • Gender imbalances arise from:
    • Historical preference for male children leading to sex-selective abortions and abandonment of female infants.
    • Rural areas particularly affected with a surplus of males, exacerbating gender disparity.
  • Efforts are being made to encourage families to have more children to address these demographic issues.

Impact of Industrial Growth

  • Alongside economic growth, there are significant social issues:
    • Increase in crime rates, including organized crime, prostitution, and gambling.
    • Growing economic disparity at the national level.

Democratic Movements and Historical Context

  • In the 1980s, there was a significant push for democracy, led primarily by university students.
  • This culminated in the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989, where protesters advocating for democracy occupied Tiananmen Square.
  • The military intervened forcefully, leading to a crackdown on the pro-democracy movement, ensuring the retention of power by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
  • The year 1989 is also referred to as the "miracle year" due to simultaneous movements for democracy across Eastern Europe, contrasting sharply with the situation in China.