China & Russia: Post-Communism Economic & Political Reforms

In history, China and Russia belonged to the communist system of leadership. Back in the 1980s, the communist system fell, and china and Russia followed different paths economically and politically. This article will discuss ways each country followed after communism in terms of economic development and political systems. Further, the study will look at which country chose the best reform methods and its reasons.

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The economic reforms of China Started in 1978 after the end of communism. The gross domestic product rates of China have grown at 9% every year since 1979. In the 1980s, the income growth was 8% per annum in China, with other middle-income countries zero and 2% for low-income economies. After communism, China was able to start new practices that helped in economic growth using industrial learning that existed since the 1950s (Putterman, 1994). During communism, the market system was being commanded, but after the reform, China targeted towards market capitalism. In 1993, the Chinese changed the Chinese community party (CCP) to Socialists market economy. Later in 1999 and 2004rights for ownership of private entrepreneurs and private property sanctity were passed under the Chinese constitution (Wilson, 2007) in 2016, china's GDP growth rate was 6.7% per annum. The political system of china today is a socialist consultative democracy.

After the communism System, Russia transited both economically and politically. The political change occurred in the 1990s, where Russia change from communist dictatorship to multiparty democracy. They started elected political officials since then. The economy, too, from commanded market system to a capitalist market system. In the capitalist market system, market, and ownership of private property. In 1995, 70% of the Russian economic properties were in private hands (Shleifer &Treisman, 2005). In 2016, Russia's GDP growth rate was 0.33% per annum. Russia is a federal semi-presidential republic today.

China has the best reforms economically and politically as compared to Russia. The economic system of china is much higher than that of Russia. China's GDP rate was 6.7% compared to 0.33% of Russia in 2016. Socialite government of China is best because everyone's views are listened to before a decision is made, and this is what makes China's economy develop daily.

Question Two

India and China Economies

Both China and India have been doing well in economic growth in comparison with other countries. The 20th century marked a large rise in their economic growth rates. At the beginning of the 21st century, the GDP growth rates of China was much higher that of India. In 2001 China's economy recorded a GDP growth of 9.9 % per annum, with India recording less than half of what China had recorded at 4.8% (Statista, n.d). As years passed in the 21st century, India's economy grew at a faster rate of 6.81% rate and China at 6.8% in the year 2018 (Statista, n.d). This is a clear indication that by the end of the 21st century, India's economy will be far much higher than China's economy. In the last 16 years since 2018, China's economy has been alleviating its GDP growth rates while India's economy has been rising even slowly and passed China's GDP rates.

China has moved from communism and socialist State to one-party State. India, on the other hand, has a federal republic to parliamentary republic and currently to a parliamentary system. These governmental reforms have led to different paths of economic growth. China's political reforms are associated with the free market economy, while India has diverted to the running of industries. China currently has become a capitalist's country. India's economic policy is mostly targeting socialization, which has made it to own more industries daily, including mining, telecommunication, and transportation (BERTOLUCCI, 2018).

In the 21st century, India will prove the most significant economically because of the rising industrialization rates (BERTOLUCCI, 2018). India's economic growth will rise every tear compared to China's economy because the free market in China to work in the 21st century will require India's industrialization skills and products. The free market cannot work if there is no telecommunication and industries in the State. Therefore, China will have to be dependent on India's industrialization products and process to raise their GDP rates. By that time, the GDP rates of India will be much higher to another level that China will not reach in the next decade.

Question Three

Comparative Politics between China, Russia, and India

Democratic republic leads to economic growth. The economic system of China was low during the communist system of governance. Later after China changed its political system to become a socialite state and the later to one-party State, it has shown great development economically. Current China's political system has given chances of free market and ownership of properties, which has significantly influenced economic development (Wilson, 2007). In 1974 when China was still a communist state, the GDP rates per annum were 2.3%. After China changed to a socialite state, the GDP moved to 9.1% in the year 2001. This is clear that the political system of a state affects the economic development with democratic-republicans growing rapidly in terms of economic status. Russia, too changed from the Communist system to democratic-republican, which has helped it to grow in terms of capitalism hence improving its economic status (Shleifer, & Treisman, 2005).

Indian has been a republican since the 20th century. Its governance has always been democratic. This democracy has helped its economy to raise to 6.81% GDP per annum in the year 2018 from 2.3% in 2001 (Statista, n.d). This has greatly increased the rate of industrialization ranging from telecommunication and mining. This, in return, has raised the GDP per annum every year with the chances of passing China's economic status in the 21st century.

Countries can move from poverty to prosperity while still maintaining a democratic-republican, for example, India, which has always been democratic and has developed economically from scratch to higher GDP levels per annum compared to other developing countries (BERTOLUCCI, 2018). Authoritarian governments cannot lead to economic development because resources are owned by the country and free markets; industrialization and property ownership are controlled by the government. Looking at the history of China and Russia during the communist system, the economic status was very low compared to the periods when they got democracy and the free market, and property ownership was allowed.

Question Four

Mexico and Nigeria Political Systems and Economic Advancement

Mexico has moved to a democratic republican in the 21st century. This transition has brought economic development in Mexico. During the authoritarian government of Mexico in the 20th century, Mexico had a lot of debts and found itself in an economic crisis. During this time, the property was controlled by the government. Therefore, there was a lot of corruption and violence that made the economy grow negatively. Mexico became a democratic republican in 2000. The economy is changing daily hence enabling macroeconomic stability that has led Mexico to become a middle-class economy (O'Neil, 2013). Mexico has advanced in economic stability after the democratic republic was passed in 2000 because the freedom to own property privately was passed, which enhanced economic growth hence increasing GDP rates.

Nigeria transited from military rule to civilian rule in 1999. The civilian rule brought peace, stability, and prosperity. Nigeria was governed by military force for 16 years (Omo-Bare, n.d). Through democratic leadership, Nigeria was united, and freedom was restored among citizens. After Nigeria became a democratic State, it has led to various economic developments. These include telecommunications, banking, and the airline industry (Joseph, 2009).

Mexico has embraced economic integration with the United States, which has reduced trade barriers and tariffs hence opening the economy of the Mexicans (Valadez, 2016). The social cleavages affecting Mexicans are social class and demographic differences. These demographic differences are gender, ethnicity, region, and generation (Klesner, 2009). Nationalism in Mexico makes Mexicans elect a certain political leader because of the issues of belonging, and this affects the economic growth if a corrupt person is elected.

The economic integration of Nigeria with ECOWAS has brought trade stability through the balance of import and export. This integration has enabled the enhancement of national products exports hence ensuring Nigeria is growing economically (Agbonkhese & Adekola, 2014). Nigeria faces ethnic conflicts, which brings about nationalism, thus bringing multi-cultarism. These bring scarcity of political resources making leaders be elected from the ethnicity, which has more population.

Question Five

Germany and the Japanese Political System

Germany is a federal democratic-republican. Germany has strong parties, powerful local, regional governments, and the judiciary system. In Germany, power is divided into regions. The German democratic constitution determines how people are elected and where power lies. The constitution of Germany was passed in 1949 and can be reshaped to cater to changes in situations. Therefore, it is the most flexible kind of constitution in the world. In Germany, leaders are elected through votes. Voting is allowed for all citizens aged 18 years and above. All citizens have equal chances of voting as long as they are 18 years and over (Expatrio, 2020).

Japan follows a democratic system of government. Democracy was passed in 1947 following the Japanese constitution in the form of a monarchy system. Power in Japan is distributed among the cabinet, national diet, and the judiciary system. These three entities serve the executive, judiciary, and the legislative. In the Japanese government, the emperor is the head of the State and appoints the Prime minister and the Chief Justice (Neely, 2016).

Germany has integrated with European countries, while Japan has not integrated with its neighbors. Integration with other countries will help Germany to get nationalism and national identity from the European countries. Nationalism and national identity will help Germany to grow economically because the European countries will support German's interest. Support from other countries helps to remove trade barriers and traffics, enhancing the open economy system. The open economy system contributes to a high GDP per annum. Lack of integration of Japan with other neighbouring countries might create trade barriers and traffics in the future, making the economy stagnant. Lack of integration does not create nationalism and national identity with Japan. Therefore, it is best if Japan integrated with other neighbouring countries to enhance economic and other benefits in the future.

References

Agbonkhese, A. O., & Adekola, A. G. (2014). Regional economic integration in developing countries: A case study of Nigeria; A member of ECOWAS. European Scientific Journal, 10(19).

BERTOLUCCI, S. (2018). India and China: Two Very Different Paths to Development. Retrieved 27 April 2020, from https://econreview.berkeley.edu/india-and-china-two-very-different-paths-to-development/

BERTOLUCCI, S. (2018). India and China: Two Very Different Paths to Development. Retrieved 27 April 2020, from https://econreview.berkeley.edu/india-and-china-two-very-different-paths-to-development/

Expatrio. (2020). German Political System. Retrieved 27 April 2020, from https://www.expatrio.com/living-germany/facts-about-germany/german-poli...