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Is China's current political system a form of modern Communism?

Porfirio Wastie

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this complex question. To understand whether China's current political system is a form of modern communism, it is important to first examine the basic tenets of Communism and compare them with China's system of governance.

At its core, Communism is a political and economic ideology that seeks to create a classless society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state. In a true Communist society, the government serves the interests of the people, rather than the other way around. The goal is to create a society that is fair and just, with minimal social or economic inequality.

To determine whether China's political system aligns with these ideals, it is necessary to look at how the country is governed. China is officially a one-party state, with the Communist Party of China (CPC) serving as the ruling party. The Party holds significant power over all aspects of the government, including the judiciary, the military, and the media. While there are other political parties in China, none hold any real power or influence.

From this perspective, it might seem that China's system is indeed a form of modern communism. However, when we examine the actual policies and practices of the CPC, the picture becomes more complicated. In recent years, China has undergone significant economic liberalization, opening up to foreign investment and becoming a global economic powerhouse. While the state still exercises significant control over key sectors of the economy, there is a growing capitalist class in China, and income inequality has risen sharply.

Moreover, China's government has been accused of human rights abuses, including censorship, suppression of dissent, and persecution of ethnic and religious minorities. These actions are inconsistent with the principles of communism and suggest that China's system is more concerned with maintaining power and control than with serving the needs of the people.

In conclusion, while China's current political system has certain elements of modern communism, such as the one-party state and state control of key sectors of the economy, it is clear that the CPC is more concerned with maintaining its grip on power than with creating a classless, egalitarian society. The country's rapid economic growth and growing income inequality suggest that capitalism and communism coexist in China, albeit in a complex and often contradictory relationship.