“The Era of Deng Xiaoping” was read last year, and then I bought the original audiobook on iBooks and listened to it again. Recently, because I was at home for more than 20 days, I turned around and reviewed it. The author, Vogel, is an American-born Jew who is proficient in Chinese and Japanese, and is the most famous expert on China. The original English version of The Age of Deng Xiaoping, titled Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China , was published in 2011, and the simplified Chinese version was published in the mainland in 2013. There are some abridgements, but the author believes that the core content he wants to express has been retained.
Deng Xiaoping’s greatness is recognized, and it can be said that Deng Xiaoping’s contribution is now the Chinese people can live a prosperous life. As the book says: “If the Chinese were to thank a certain leader for improving their daily lives, that person would be Deng Xiaoping.” This book uses only one chapter to describe Deng Xiaoping’s experience in the first half of his life, followed by 22 chapters. It tells about his experience after being knocked down twice and sent to Jiangxi to make a comeback after 1969, and then he was reached again in 1976, and then he came back in 1977 and took power the following year. The focus was on a series of changes, such as reform and opening up after taking power in 1978, to the period of the trip to the south in 1992, which is the “Deng Xiaoping era”.
Fu Gaoyi’s description is objective and detailed, and the writing style is simple and simple. It is said that the author has a group of old friends who have never been to university. After the author has finished writing the first few chapters of the book, he will show them to them, ask them if they can understand it, if it is interesting, and ask them to give their opinions. This is quite similar to what Bai Juyi did when he wrote a poem that an old woman could understand. Although the book is in a straightforward style, it is not boring to read. The author not only records historical facts, but also makes some neutral summaries and comments. The author uses two chapters to make concluding comments. One is the last chapter, which gives an overview of Deng Xiaoping’s historical contributions; the other is the thirteenth chapter, which summarizes Deng Xiaoping’s principles and methods of governance and reform. In the 1980s, various socialist countries made reform attempts, but only China succeeded. This has to be said to have a lot to do with Deng Xiaoping’s wisdom and methods. A summary of the principles summarized in Chapter 13 is as follows:
- Words and deeds must be authoritative.
- Defend the party’s position.
- Adhere to a unified command system. Deng Xiaoping believed that a unified command system would be more useful and efficient.
- After gaining the support of the masses, make major policy breakthroughs.
- Make short-term decisions based on long-term goals.
- Adopt policies that help achieve long-term goals.
- Face the unpleasant truth. Verify the messages you get through different channels.
- Be courageous, and do things lightly.
- Advance, consolidate, advance again. The most effective way to deal with serious resistance is to keep applying some pressure and wait for things to solidify before moving forward.
- Strengthen unity and reduce differences.
- Avoid publicizing past grievances. A general public discussion of the “Cultural Revolution” is fine, but don’t dwell on the details, which will only open up the scars.
- Avoid resistance from conservative forces by experimenting.
- Explain complex and controversial issues in the vernacular. For example, “cat theory”, “let some people get rich first”, “cross the river by feeling the stones”.
- Strike a balance in your speech explaining the fundamentals. In key policy documents, Deng Xiaoping has focused on the moderation that keeps his plans sound.
- Avoid factions and select competent officials.
- Research and create an “atmosphere”. When speaking, only general principles are usually discussed, and details are not touched upon.
Although these “state-governing techniques” are like dragon-slaying techniques to ordinary people, Deng Xiaoping’s life experience and political wisdom are still very enlightening to us.
1. Optimism
Deng Xiaoping experienced “three ups and threes”, and when he was “down”, he always maintained a positive and optimistic attitude. Underpinning the optimism is a gritty character, described by Mao Zedong as a “steel company”, and it is this steely will that enables him to persevere in the troughs of life. Deng Rong recalled that he “wasn’t motivated, didn’t get depressed, didn’t give up even the last glimmer of hope.”
One manifestation of optimism is to look to the long-term, rather than to be troubled with immediate difficulties. When the post-1989 generation encountered international resistance and difficulties, Deng Xiaoping often reminded his subordinates: “Observe calmly, stabilize your position, deal with it calmly, and make a difference.”
2. Be firm in principle and do not give up long-term beliefs for short-term interests
Deng Xiaoping was beaten down as a “Maoist leader” in 1930. He did not give up his ideas. Although he was ostracized and suppressed during this period, he also gained Mao Zedong’s trust. Down, Mao also did not agree to expel him from the party.
When Deng Xiaoping came out of the mountain again in 1975, Mao Zedong put pressure on him to admit his “seven points of achievements in the Cultural Revolution”. Deng Xiaoping did not compromise. Although he understood that Mao was testing his successor at this time, he could have done the same as Khrushchev. Promise to wait until he takes power before changing his tune. However, he was firm in his principles, he would rather be punished than recognize the contribution of the “Cultural Revolution” at the critical meeting, and he did not agree with the policy of “class struggle as the key link”. Although this caused him to be withdrawn again, it also allowed him to gain prestige and authority, so that he could reorganize and implement his reform plan after his comeback. Khrushchev failed to implement reforms after he came to power, and Deng Xiaoping’s reforms and opening up changed China. It should be said that this has a lot to do with it.
3. Seek truth from facts and test with practical results
Deng Xiaoping insisted on seeking truth from facts, and he also obtained real information from different channels. And when he encounters obstacles in the actual implementation of the reform, he will cleverly use the method of the test field to resolve doubts. Don’t be in a hurry to argue right or wrong, try a small-scale test to see the effect, and use facts to stop the opponents’ mouths. Although it seems that some opportunities are missed, it also reduces the risks caused by blindly jumping in.
4. Focus on the big and let go of the small, ignoring the subsections
When comparing the work styles of Deng Xiaoping and Zhou Enlai, the author wrote that Zhou’s approach was to act cautiously, to focus on specific issues, and to go into details; but Deng’s approach was to focus on the big and let go of the small, focusing only on the general direction, and the specific affairs were completed by his subordinates. He also rarely holds meetings and only requires a clear division of labor.
5. Focus on family
Deng Xiaoping’s subordinates felt that he was strict and demanding, but in the family he was kind, generous and amiable. Even in the most difficult times, their family is loyal, caring for each other, and getting through it together. When he was sent to Jiangxi, he wrote one letter after another in order to treat his disabled son. Deng Xiaoping never ignored any of his children, and none of them cut ties with Deng Xiaoping. No matter what the difficult time, the family will always be a safe haven to rely on.
Dr. John Knight of Ohio State University published a book review titled ” The Man Who Re-Invented China “. The book uses three adjectives to summarize: nationalistic, pragmatic, authoritarian. But these three Although the words are relatively accurate, in order to fully understand Deng Xiaoping, we still have to read the original book. This is just a brief summary, I highly recommend reading this book.
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