Is it possible to create a market and capitalist economy under a Communist regimen?

Question

I am thinking of China, but a few countries in South America may try, or are on the way, to do the same, with some local colours.

Answer 1

If you are using the terms strictly , then of course not. Communism is born in the death of capitalism.

By the way , China has not been communist for many years now. It is still authoritarian & centrally controlled ( I think perhaps this is your real question ?) .But this is normal throughtout our history. The 2 things we fear are outside interference and internal disorder.

As for HK and the other Special Economic Zones , well it has long been a proverb in China that "the emperor is far away".

Answer 2

Hungary had a market economy for years whilst still a communist country and was probably the most financially stable and successful eastern bloc country because of it..

Both China and Russia are embracing a capitalist economy but both countries are exercising quite a lot of control over it. I do not think that is a bad thing. I am sure we all feel that there are elements of capitalism which do not sit well with us. It may well be that the West may learn how to control some of capitalism's excesses by watching these fledgling economies.

Answer 3

I think that Venezuela, if this is the country you are thinking about, is far from becoming communist, rather populist. Far from central planning, all they are doing is nationalising all the businesses and squandering the proceeds on arms. Whilst keeping the market system going.

Communist regimes are very different and try to become self-sufficient and end u as autarky's.

I cannot see why you have included China??? Many years ago maybe, but now? How? They have been signing many free trade agreements, have improved their capital markets....

I do not know of any other S.A country doing the same and most are giving Mr Chavez a lot of distance...

Answer 4

It depends on your definition of capitalism and communism, but it's possible to have a market economy while at the same time, not have corporate control by big shareholders. Take the recovered factories in Argentina for example -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recovered_factory - there is no capitalist giving orders in the company. Decisions are made democratically by employees. Yet these companies continue to operate in a market economy.

Answer 5

Comunism, under the structure of Centralizaed Planning, basically tries to have a close economy. That is to say, autarky. In the end, this strucutre collapses, as was evidenced by the USSR. Now, China is an example of how you can have a Comunist regime, but a the same time, have a capitalist export economy.

This is a wonderful idea because you don't have to pay anything to your worker, just feed and clothe them basically, and thus, makes your products more competitive because they are cheaper to produce.

This is a double standard. It is immoral. I am particularly in favour of socialist economic policy. I don't agree with capitilism and all its bullcrap, but I will say that whta China does to its workers and how they've built themselves up basically through slavery is wrong and ultimately it will lead them to their downfall, much like what happened to the Soviet Union.

Answer 6

well what happens when you have billions of petro dollars keep pouring in to your country daily then the concept of Communism simply vanishes as these are the fantasy developed during the days when Russia and china have barely anything then bread and butter to survive, when china receives over billion dollar direct foreign investment virtually everyday then the communist are very busy with their new capitol to look after, the west have to learn that it was the necessity of that time to promote the Communism in there country as their was no other viable option available for these underdeveloped economies unfortunately the stigma of Communism still goes on despite these country either have adopted socialism or adopted quite a bit of democrat structure. but as time have changed now the world becomes the global village you may name or polish with regional colors the rules of engagement remains quite similar for the whole world as we simply Can not survive with different age old ideas in this fast shrinking world.

Answer 7

You're confusing "Communist" with "Authoritarian".

China is evolving into a market economy, but the government is still authoritarian.

Various types of economies can exist until authoritarian governments, however, by definition a communist country must be authoritarian/totalitarian government (because all aspects of the economy must be run by the government).

Answer 8

I guess it depends on how literal you take "communist" China is not by definition communal, at best maybe socialist. Having said that their economic model is capitalistic. I personally don't think you could combine text book Communism and capitalism.

Answer 9

Yes, in the short term as China is showing. But, eventually democracy will have to come to ensure the economic progress continues.

Answer 10

No....it's against the very ethos of their ideology. Unless you are thinking about how China leaves Hong Kong pretty much to itslef as is pretty much the same as when Britain had it.