The permanence of the socialist system in China, Cuba, Vietnam and North Korea has been characterized by the implementation of adaptation mechanisms. These changes include from modifications in their constitutions to reforms in their postulates. Some changes have even gone against its fundamental principles.
In this sense, a socialist system is defined as one in which the social and economic organization is based on public property. Under this system, the State controls and administers the means of production and distribution of goods. Its postulates are based on the economic and political theory of the German philosopher Karl Marx (1818-1883).
In the case of these countries, the government controls important areas, such as healthcare, energy and transportation. By also owning businesses in these areas, the government can decide what is produced and who should receive the goods and services. Similarly, it determines workers' wages and sets prices for some products.
However, despite having made progress in some areas, they still present contradictions that are reflected in social and economic problems.
In turn, these problems have threatened the stability and permanence of the socialist system in some of these nations. However, to date, they have been able to cope with these threats.
Establishment and permanence of the socialist system
China
Mao
The socialist system was established in China in 1949, after a struggle of more than 20 years. This armed confrontation was led by the Chinese Communist Party and its leader Mao Tse Tung.
Before 1949, China persisted in a basically feudal system. It was a mostly rural country in which the peasantry lived in deplorable conditions. After the triumph of the socialist system, an agrarian reform was implemented. After 30 years, this reform managed to solve the feeding problem of more than 916 million Chinese.
The establishment and permanence of the socialist system brought other additional challenges. One of them was the implementation of the Cultural Revolution. This was aimed at changing the mentality of the population to accept the changes introduced by socialist ideology.
Over time, other changes occurred to ensure the permanence of the socialist system in China. Around 2004, the right to private property was recognized. Also, a special economic zone was established and opened to international trade. This has allowed the country to undertake accelerated economic growth.
Currently, the government controls a significant part of the national economy. However, the number of government programs has decreased significantly. China's foreign policy remains pro-socialist, but it is essentially a free market economy.
Cuba
The socialist system arrived in Cuba with the triumph of the rebel forces led by Fidel Castro on January 1, 1959. This victory put an end to the dictatorial government of Fulgencio Batista, who had come to power on March 10, 1952, through a coup. This victory successfully crowned the guerrilla movement that began in 1956.
Before the triumph of Castro's forces, Cuba was immersed in a critical situation due to the drop in demand for sugar. This item was the engine of its economy, and its crisis unleashed strong social instability. In response, the M-26 (Castro) movement in union with other political forces began the armed struggle.
Among other effects, Batista's defeat led to the rise to absolute power of the rebel armed forces and the enactment of an agrarian reform law.
In addition, contradictions with the other forces that supported Castro during the rebellion intensified. In the end, the Castro forces annulled the other allied political forces.
Later, in 1961, Fidel Castro declared the socialist character of the Republic of Cuba. The Constitution was even modified to include this declaration. In this way, the process of transformation of the State began.
Precisely, one of the reasons that are used to explain the permanence of the Cuban socialist system is the letter of its Magna Carta. Its preamble establishes, among other things, that the Cuban State is guided by the political-social ideas of Marx, Engels and Lenin.
Vietnam
Propaganda for the 14th Meeting of the Communist Party in the city of Ha Đông.
The socialist system was established in Vietnam after the triumph of North Vietnam over South Vietnam. Led by the Communist Party and after having defeated the USA (1975) and its southern neighbors, these two regions were unified under a single state.
Having the final control and counting on the support of the USSR, the Socialists began to dictate measures to guarantee their stay in power. Among them, they outlawed political parties and carried out mass arrests of dissidents. Likewise, the government began a process of collectivization of the countryside and the factories.
Under the leadership of the Communist Party, Vietnam began to show signs of progress socially and economically. However, after the debacle of the USSR, there were contradictions that led to social instability. To avoid this problem, the state began to apply free market economic reforms.
One of them, implemented since 1986, allowed private property in the countryside and industries and foreign investment. Then, in 2007, Vietnam joined the World Trade Organization.
In the opinion of economists, the adoption of these capitalist measures has contributed to the permanence of the socialist system in Vietnam, despite all the contradictions it still presents.
North Korea
North Korean citizens paying homage to statues of leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il
The rise of the socialist state in North Korea dates back to the end of World War II. After the Japanese losers were forced to withdraw, the US and USSR allies divided up the Korean territory. The North Koreans then became a Soviet protectorate, and the United States kept the southern part.
In the shadow of the Soviet Union, North Korea busied itself with developing a Bolshevik-style socialist system of government. Then, in 1950, the north declared war on the south with the intention of unifying the territories. Neither side was victorious and both kept their original lands.
Then Russia withdrew its support for North Korea and the Kim dynasty established itself in power. This period began with the mandate of Kim Il-sung (1912-1994) who, in order to stay in power, applied a nationalist variant of socialism in the 70s. At his death he was succeeded by his son Kim Jong-il (1941-2011) and then in 2011 by Kim Jong-un.
Among other measures, to guarantee the permanence of the socialist and personalist system of government, Kim Jong-un allowed political parties different from the communist but controlled by them.
In addition, military and nuclear spending increased, and allowed the practice of some local religions. Likewise, it maintains a strong policy of censorship and violations of the human rights of dissident groups.
References
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- Zibechi, R. (2017, December 08). Is China a socialist country? Taken from lahaine.org.
- Akavian, B. (2008, July 27). When China was socialist. Taken from revcom.us.
- Seth, S. (s / f). Socialist Economies: How China, Cuba And North Korea Work. investopedia.com
- Aguirre, F. (s / f). The Cuban Revolution of 1959. Taken from laizquierdadiario.com.
- Freire Santana, O. (2018, July 20). The Pact of Caracas: one more betrayal of Fidel Castro. Taken from cubanet.org.
- Las Américas newspaper. (2018, April 09). Vietnam and Cuba are examples of socialism, yes, but opposed. Taken from diariolasamericas.com.
- The nation. (2015, April 29). Vietnam 40 years later: a war half won by communism. Taken from nacion.com.
- Sputnik News. (2016, August 31). Everything you need to know about North Korea. Taken from mundo.sputniknews.com.