oned for a new responsibility system in which “each household looks out for itself” and “…the people [who] work harder…get more” (Seybolt 85). This osmosis of economic democracy endowed the citizens of China with more freedom for individual prosperity and success than ever granted in Mao’s time.Under Deng, ideological education (such as the red books filled with Maoist propaganda) were abandoned and individual thinking ‘flourished.’ The power of the Communist Party, which was at the zenith under Mao, began a downward inclination under Deng. Cadres could no longer enforce crimes and local conduct as before, but instead their power began a period of decadence, as the voice of the masses was stronger than ever before.Deng’s goal was not directed toward ushering in democratic ideals for the people but rather as a means to modernize The People’s Republic by all means necessary. China’s economy was greatly bolstered by Deng’s presence but perhaps at the cost of the political security that was Mao’s trademark. The growing tide of individualism reached the climax with the Tiannenmen Square protests in 1989. Protestors of communism and advocates of democracy were crushed by the army, including scores of deaths and even greater numbers of arrests. The uprising was a clear victory in demonstrating the freedoms achieved by individuals, but the martial influence did reaffirm China’s allegiance to their communist political system.In Deng’s era, China has also seen an increase in its citizens’ standard of living. The child mortality rate has become miniscule while the average life expectancy has climbed over seventy. In the village of Houhua, nearly half the villagers own televisions and the utilization of electrical power has become commonplace. Also the faith, which was destroyed by the Maoist movements against god and superstition, was restored to ...
