Comment Re:Culture (Score 1) 257
I guess I should have made it more clear that the Cultural Revolution as not historic and influential in the context of changing the perspectives of the Chinese people on traditional Confucianism beliefs. As I've mentioned in my previous posts, it is argued that the Cultural Revolution increased activism activity in China with the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, and the current allowance of single issue protests in China, but the ideology driving the Cultural Revolution, of being critical of everyone and everything, was mainly shunned upon afterwards.
Also, Mao's death was much more of the driving cause of the economic reforms than the cultural revolution. The economic reforms were something that was advocated by Deng Xiaoping even before the cultural revolution. Deng gained prestige within the party and public for his ideas especially given the failure of the Great Leap Forward. But of course, these ideas were at odds with Mao's, especially with Deng gaining influence and popularity. As a result, he was targeted and purged twice from office during the time of the Cultrual Revolution, and his more pragmatic views on economic reform was never implement. It was only after Mao's death, with his ascension to power, Deng was able to push forward his economic reforms. I guess you can argue that the Cultural Revolution may have made the party leaders question Mao's views (but then again the CR removed more of Mao's opponents from power and his ideology was still highly supported afterwards), but for the most part, the economic reforms are the result of Mao's death and Deng's ascension.
Also, Mao's death was much more of the driving cause of the economic reforms than the cultural revolution. The economic reforms were something that was advocated by Deng Xiaoping even before the cultural revolution. Deng gained prestige within the party and public for his ideas especially given the failure of the Great Leap Forward. But of course, these ideas were at odds with Mao's, especially with Deng gaining influence and popularity. As a result, he was targeted and purged twice from office during the time of the Cultrual Revolution, and his more pragmatic views on economic reform was never implement. It was only after Mao's death, with his ascension to power, Deng was able to push forward his economic reforms. I guess you can argue that the Cultural Revolution may have made the party leaders question Mao's views (but then again the CR removed more of Mao's opponents from power and his ideology was still highly supported afterwards), but for the most part, the economic reforms are the result of Mao's death and Deng's ascension.
