Discuss the process known as the "Four Modernizations" and how the attitude of the Chinese leaders in this area contrasted in response to the rise of democratic protests.
When Mao Zedong died in 1976, a struggle happenned between the Gang of Four and a group led by Deng Xiaoping for power. Most of the people sided with Deng rather than Mao because he took more of a practical approach to solving China's problems. He started a program called the Four Modernizations as a way to make Chins a better and more producstive society. The goals of this program were to improve agriculture, industry, science, technology, and defense as quickly as possible. The first step he took was to repair the damage done to farm production during the Great Leap Forward. Under the contract responsibilty system, which took place of communes, the government rented lands to individual farm families and each family decided for themselves what to plant. The families contracted with the government to provide a certain amount of crops at a set price. Once the contract was fulfilled, they could sell the extra crops at the market.
What is your question?
Oh sorry, I was just wonderig does it flow right and make sense?
It reads just fine. However, you haven't completely answered the question.
To understand the contrast in attitude of Chinese leaders towards the Four Modernizations and the rise of democratic protests, we need to discuss both aspects separately.
1. The Four Modernizations:
The Four Modernizations was a comprehensive economic reform plan initiated by Deng Xiaoping after he rose to power in China. Its goal was to transform China's economy and society by modernizing four key sectors:
a. Agriculture: Deng aimed to increase agricultural productivity by moving away from collective farming and implementing the contract responsibility system. This allowed individual farm families to lease land from the government and make independent decisions regarding what to plant.
b. Industry: The plan focused on boosting industrial production and creating a more efficient manufacturing sector. This involved investing in technology, improving infrastructure, and encouraging foreign direct investment.
c. Science and Technology: Deng recognized the importance of scientific advancements and aimed to develop China's scientific research and technological capabilities. This involved promoting research institutes, supporting technological innovation, and fostering international scientific collaborations.
d. Defense: Deng saw the need for strengthening China's defense capabilities modernize its military forces. This involved investing in military technology, training, and strategic planning.
2. Attitude towards Democratic Protests:
While the Four Modernizations focused on economic development and technological advancements, it did not address political reform or democratic aspirations. As China began to experience economic progress, some segments of society, particularly students and intellectuals, started demanding political liberalization and democratic reforms.
The Chinese leaders, including Deng Xiaoping, viewed these democratic protests as a potential threat to their authority and the stability of the country. They believed that political stability and economic development were intertwined, and any disruption to the Communist Party's rule could lead to chaos and hinder progress.
Consequently, the Chinese government adopted a repressive approach towards these protests. In 1989, when the pro-democracy movement reached its peak with the Tiananmen Square protests, the government declared martial law and eventually used military force to suppress the demonstrators. This demonstrated the Chinese leaders' unwillingness to accommodate democratic demands and prioritize political reform alongside economic development.
In summary, while the Four Modernizations aimed to achieve rapid economic growth and technological advancement, the Chinese leaders' response to democratic protests was one of repression, emphasizing political stability over the aspirations for political liberalization.