Third Way: The Origins of China's Current Economic Development Strategy

During 1949 to 1978, communist elites in China had differing visions of economic development. Mao Zedong advocated for semi-autarchy, while Zhou Enlai adapted bureaucratic Stalinism to promote import substitution industrialization. Deng Xiaoping experimented with export-led development, inspired by Lenin's New Economic Policy and Eastern Europe and Asia's economic reforms. Lawrence Reardon's book "A Third Way" reveals how Deng and Zhao Ziyang tackled smuggling operations, compromised with Chen Yuns conservative views, and overcame Deng Liqun's ideological opposition, making Zhao the true architect of China's opening strategy.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 326 pages
\n Publication date: 05 January 2021
\n Publisher: Harvard University, Asia Center
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From 1949 to 1978, communist elites in China held divergent visions for the country's economic development. Mao Zedong championed the "first way," a semi-autarchic approach reminiscent of revolutionary Stalinism (1929-34). On the other hand, Zhou Enlai adapted bureaucratic Stalinism (1934-53) to promote the "second way," which focused on import substitution industrialization.

A Third Way delves into the story of Deng Xiaoping's experimentation with export-led development, drawing inspiration from Lenin's New Economic Policy and the economic reforms in Eastern Europe and Asia. Lawrence Reardon, through meticulous research, has unearthed an extraordinary collection of internal party and government documents that trace the evolution of China's coastal development strategy. This strategy began with the establishment of special economic zones in 1979 and gradually expanded into the fourteen open coastal cities, the Hainan Special Economic Zone (SEZ), and ultimately China's accession to the global trade regime in 2001.

Reardon provides detailed accounts of how Deng and Zhao Ziyang addressed large-scale smuggling operations, navigated conflicts with conservative views, and overcame ideological opposition from Deng Liqun. While Zhao Ziyang's role in China's opening strategy has often been marginalized in official Chinese history following the June 4, 1989, events, Reardon argues that Zhao played a pivotal role in shaping China's economic policies during this critical period.

A Third Way offers valuable insights into the 1980s, a period of significant transformation for China. It sheds light on the strategies employed by Deng and Zhao to navigate the challenges of the time and pave the way for China's rise as a global economic superpower. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding China's economic development and its place in the world.

\n Weight: 676g\n
Dimension: 162 x 237 x 31 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780674247888\n \n