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Emancipation
“Reform and opening” started from the top with the seminal leadership transition from Mao to Deng. Deng Xiaoping heralded China’s boom in late 1978 when he called for experiments with “economic democracy” and “emancipation” from orthodox ideas. But the boom was not simply a top-down, state-orchestrated phenomenon. In fact, the biggest contribution of the state, especially in the first phase of growth, was to get out of the way. Farmers were liberated from collectives, sparking a wildfire of capitalism in the countryside. Urban markets and industry were freed to “grow out of the plan,” making profits on surplus production and creating powerful incentives for rapid growth. |
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The Resurgent Elite Legitimized Deng's GovernmentPeriod: Emancipation (1978-84)
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Click to expand The Cultural Revolution had forced all of the social elites to the bottom of society. So, when Deng Xiaoping gave these people the opportunity to re-enter the social elite, their passion and support absolutely gave the CCP a second legitimacy. It gave them them a second chance to rule China. The National Higher Education Entrance Examinations of 1977 and 1978 played a very important role in maintaining social mobility and bringing local elites to society. As long as you can reach the majority of the elite, to ensure them that you are still the heads of this country, they will put out incredible passion. Their philosophy is pragmatic, they don't have a strong ideology, no strong beliefs. If they feel hope, they will contribute all their enthusiasm. So, the most important factor is that the whole social elite considers the country to be their own country, since they have found opportunity.
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