by Zhenzhen Li

Created on: November 01, 2010   Last Updated: November 02, 2010

I would never address China as a Capitalist society, at least during my lifetime. There is no way that China has earned the respect of being a member of the capitalism world. The reasons are clear and simple: The government is taking control of almost anything they want.

If we want to make the judgment, first we’d better figure out what Capitalist Society is. Without question, Capitalism must count in a Capitalist Society. Then, how to define Capitalism? According to wikipedia: Capitalism is an

businesses, and wages are paid to workers employed by businesses and companies. Even though, it may not be pure Capitalism in a Capitalist society, the percentage of the Capitalism should outweigh other systems. Since China’s Capitalism only accounts for less than 40% in the whole economy system, it is not a qualified Capitalist society.

The current situation of China may pose much stress and threat to the western world and make them believe that China is so strong that it may take place of the US someday. Then, there comes the discussion that China has broken its promises to be a communist society. It opened its market and let the Capitalism rules. Thanks to its labor and resources, it is now becoming one of the most influential countries in the world. If you really think so, you are fooled. China has never fully opened its market at all, no matter in 1979 or 2010. The government is holding much of the share in its market. All the rules and regulations of the game are made by the government. With its openness of the market, the government is becoming stronger and more powerful than ever before.

For example, the housing price is the tool of the government to take the steering wheel of the market and rule its people. When the government is lacking money, they sell lands. Real estate agencies borrow the money from banks and bought the land and build houses and fire the price extremely high. People cannot afford the houses, so they borrow from the banks, too. However, who owns the banks? The government! It’s like that the governments make the 1 dollar house into 10 dollars so that it can take the extra 8 dollars, maybe give 1 dollar to the businessmen. And when the price is too high to cause a potential crisis, the government makes a regulation and set the standard of housing price. See, problem solved.

You cannot imagine how powerful the government is if you are not one of its citizens. From a citizen’s eye, a Capitalist Society can be a reward for the country regarding the freedom sector. I have to admit that my country is on the way to a better road compared with days before 1979. But, it is far from a good and clean Capitalist Society.

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