Odd Lots Odd Arne Westad on how China First Joined the Global Capitalist Economy
36 snips
Nov 21, 2024 Odd Arne Westad, a Yale history professor and co-author of 'The Great Transformation: China’s Road from Revolution to Reform,' dives into China's remarkable shift to a capitalist economy. He discusses pivotal reforms under Deng Xiaoping and the impact of the Cultural Revolution. The conversation reveals the intricate relationship between economic changes and political stability. Westad also highlights the individual stories of resilience during this transformation and critiques common misconceptions about China's opening up to global markets.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Diminished Research Access
- Research access in China has diminished since 2016-17.
- This limited access to archives and sources impacts historical research.
Westad's China Experience
- Odd Arne Westad first visited China as an exchange student in the late 1970s.
- He co-authored "The Great Transformation" with Chen Jian, offering insider perspectives.
Unforeseen Consequences
- The Cultural Revolution, while disruptive, inadvertently fostered early market activities.
- People turned to markets out of desperation, planting seeds for future reforms.
