China's Economic and Political Freedoms
Traditional
thought originating with the Economist Adam Smith for hundreds of years has
held the belief that economic freedom cannot be achieved without political
freedom and as well in which there is
freedom of choice, freedom to enter markets, and strong property rights (Lawson).
Political freedom, free of civil
repression and supported by the rule of laws is considered and defined by many
to be the pre-requite for economic freedom. In recent years this theory has
been put into question throughout the globe (Lawson)

Various countries and economic
markets such as China which includes Hong Kong and Singapore, have records of
political suppression but have shown an increase in economic freedom over the
last 20 years (Bishop). Based on the 2004 annual report for economic freedom
for the world rated Hong Kong as the most economically free marketplace with a
score of 8.7 out of 10 (Lawson). Singapore with a track record also of civil
repression had a score of 8.6 out of 10 (Lawson). The United States however
considered a bastion of capitalism in comparison only had a score of 8.2
(Lawson). France, furthermore with a long history of liberty had an economic
freedom rating of a mere 6.8 (Lawson). China improved its rating from 3.8 in
1980 to 5.7 in 2002 (Lawson). These ratings are based on a number of variables
such as low taxation, level of government regulation, corruption, free trade,
price controls, and sound economic government policy.
This paradigm in thinking has
challenged traditional thinking as researchers, political scientists, and economists
in recent years have began to study the relationship between economics and the
need for personal liberty ("China Leadership Pledges Expansion of Personal
Freedoms") . Are both required in an interdependent relationship or can economic
freedom exist without the inclusion of political freedom? Long term social
planning will be impacted over time with the results of this study throughout
the globe (Mishra).
No where in the World has the split
between economic and political freedom been more pronounced than in China. In
2013 President Xi Jinping released government draft plans for the government to
undertake massive economic reforms that would have been endorsed by such
staunch free enterprisers such as President
Ronald Regan (Bishop). Sweeping reforms and changes are to be divided into key
economic sectors in which will include the following: reducing production,
reducing bureaucratic regulations,
cutting red tape, and reducing government role in the economy (Mishra). No
where mentioned in Government was political liberty as proposed in the Western
Democracies. Chinese leadership did not consider Western political freedom as a
requirement for economic stimulation and strong economic growth (Bishop).
The West and liberal democracies
have upheld the ideal of strong political freedom as a means to support economic
prosperity. There is a belief that China with a track record of political
repression will change over time with liberty ("China Leadership Pledges
Expansion of Personal Freedoms") .
As more and more Chinese become prosperous and enjoy the luxuries of economic freedom,
that political freedom and liberty will be inevitable ("China Leadership Pledges Expansion of
Personal Freedoms"). Many theorize China will eventually become more like
Western society with civil liberties and political freedom. Is there evidence
to support this thinking? There is evidence on the contrary. China is becoming integrated
into the world economy and marketplace but is remaining largely undemocratic (Mishra).
This poses the though provoking question on the necessity of political freedom
as a means to reach economic freedom around the globe. Are both achievable? Can
a Country have both true economic and political freedom. One would hope so
however the trick is balancing the economic and social reforms to make a
"perfect democracy", and this has still yet to be perfected.
Bishop,
Billy. (May 20,2013).In China Weighing Economic and Political Freedoms. New York Times. Retrieved January 9th.2014,
from http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/05/20/in-china-weighing-economic-and-political-freedoms/?_r=0
Lawson,
A. Robert.(n.d). Economic Freedoms. The Concise
Encyclopedia of Economics. Retrieved January 9th 2014, from http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/EconomicFreedom.html\
Mishra,
Pankag. ( May 19,2013). Why China's Riches Wont Bring It Freedoms. Bloomberg News. Retrieved January 9th,
2014, from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-19/why-china-s-riches-won-t-bring-it-freedom.html
(November
16th,2013). China Leadership Pledges Expansions of Economic Freedoms. Bloomberg News. Retrieved January 9th
2013, from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-15/china-pledges-to-ease-one-child-policy-as-party-details-reforms.html