ChinaTalk Red Guards to Red Entrepreneurs: How Mao Era Thought Seeps Into Modern Chinese Business
Apr 24, 2019
In this discussion, Christopher Marquis, a professor at Cornell’s SC Johnson College of Business, delves into how Chinese communist ideology has left a lasting mark on the private sector. He highlights the evolution from Marxist-Leninist principles to today's capitalist practices, revealing the challenges entrepreneurs face in navigating government policies. Marquis also touches on how historical events like the Cultural Revolution influence contemporary business decisions and the differing perspectives of younger vs. older generations in China's complex economic landscape.
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Interest in China's Transition
- Christopher Marquis's interest in China's economic transition stems from a fascination with the shift from communist ideology to market-oriented capitalism.
- He's intrigued by the psychological and cultural impacts of this transition, particularly how individuals imprinted with communist ideology adapted to the new system.
Mao's Paper Tigers Analogy
- Marquis highlights Mao's quote about imperialist countries being "paper tigers", emphasizing the deceptive nature of appearances.
- He connects this to the current Chinese communist environment, suggesting a similar disconnect between outward presentation and underlying reality.
Role of Local Councils
- Local councils in China, similar to the national Lianghui, play a significant role in economic development.
- Businesses seek appointments to these councils for benefits like preferential tax policies and loan access, while the government uses them to influence and control the private sector.
