RUSSIA AND CHINA
Gradualism is naturally the most feasible approach to any situation. Since the fall of the iron curtain, these two Communist powerhouses have chosen to move towards democracy. China has chosen to take the natural, more gradual approach to democracy where as Russia has chosen the fast-paced, more dangerous approach. These two nations have chosen to change their economies from a collectivized command one to a market oriented one in order to increase the standard of living in their countries. As we have seen in recent years, China is booming and becoming more and more successful, while Russia seems like it is regressing back to parochial ways. It is impossible to compare anything but Russia and China’s approaches to change, and the results that incurred. The two nations have vastly different economies and to compare one economy to another would be illogical.
China and Russia’s approach to change are vastly different, almost like night and day. China’s political and economic policy has always been to do things gradually. Whereas Russia believed in going through the necessary changes quickly, so that the hardship would in turn pass just as quickly. In the implementation of their policies, we have seen that China’s approach has led to a 29% of growth in their industrial field. But in comparison, Russia only yielded 15% with their approach. But one must keep in mind that China has more industrial sectors than does Russia, so their job in improving industry is notably easier than Russia’s feat in developing an industry.
Politically, the two nations have the same policies that they held in their economies. China believes in gradually letting the people have more access to political freedom. And again, Russia’s policy has been to flood them all at once with these new found freedoms. Unfortunately, Russia’s policy hasn’t been the most naturally feasible approach again. Their people have been suddenly bombarded with all of these new found freedoms they have never experience before. They are like little children let loose in a candy store. There are all of these new things available to them, and most of the younger generation wants to try everything at once. All of these citizens experimenting with their new freedoms are creating political chaos. The Russian citizens don’t have time to savor their new freedoms and are just trying to grab them from left and right. They are probably afraid that if they don’t take their freedoms quickly, they will leave as quickly as they came. On the other hand, China refuses to allow their citizens run the nation. Instead they are continuing to shun democracy. They refuse to have democratic elections, pro-democracy demonstrations, and still censor the press. They are still trying to maintain that wall that separates them from the rest of the world. From a democratic aspect, China’s approach is appalling. China is refusing basic democratic rights that the Western nation citizens take for granted. China is under the misconception that they can give its people little crumbs of freedom and keep them from wanting more. China’s leaders think that they can keep controlling that many people for an undetermined amount of time, they don’t realize that once the people know about a better life, nothing can stop them from pursuing that life also. So looking at Russia and China’s political policies, it is safe to say that what is good for the economy may not necessarily be good for the people.
When looking at evolution and physiology, one will also notice that changes naturally happen gradually. Over time, living organisms change and evolve, but the key ingredient is time. Sometimes changes take place over thousands of millions of years, as intended by nature. But when examining a change in nature that occurred spontaneously or quickly, one will notice that the change was usually a fluke, or a by-product of the interferences by mankind. China has taken the natural path, and has gradually succeeded in the short time span that it has been on the market-oriented path. On the other hand, Russia, who chose to take a fast-paced approach is suffering and has not succeeded in changing.
Personally, I believe that the Russian people will try to revert back to communism, but will be stopped, either by force or by will. They people will become so fed up with the hardship they endure and the constant longing for when life was better under the Red Guard that they will try to start a revolt to go back to communism. But their attempts to go back will be defeated by either force (like Tienamin Square) or by will. The Russian economy will continue to slowly improve for about 40 to 70 years until they have reached decent standard of living levels. And after the improvement on the economy, they will realize that democracy will help them, and that there will be an energetic burst to further pursue democracy. I believe that China will continue to improve their industry and will attempt to maintain an iron grip on their people, but will fail. The Chinese will revolt against the suppression of their democratic rights and will try another revolt to receive their rights. If the revolt is big enough, and not isolated to one certain sector, but is dispersed nation-wide, then they will succeed. But if it is only a small group, then they will fail.