Econ Homework part deux - Mao

If I were Mao Tse-Tung what would have been the first three things I would have done to support Communism?

The first of the three things I would have done to support the successful growth of Communism would be to start the transition slowly. To change from one system of government to another is a huge task that requires at least a somewhat measured, and well thought-out, progression. While the revolution may happen in a relatively short amount of time, I would try to take a step back once in power to let things settle down. Changes made in rash and hectic conditions, though perhaps undertaken with great fervor, are often only half thought out, giving them lower odds of success.

Next I would try to minimize the anger towards landowners in the rural communities. Specifically, I would ask the "hated" landowners to hand over their land peacefully and explain why it was in their best interest to do so. It seems that Mao found modest success with such a transition policy in the city, by explaining to factory owners that the only option for remaining with the company was to sign over the deed. When Mao had the peasants berate their former overseers and landowners, it encouraged a general animosity towards authority. To rule effectively one must try to bring all people together towards a common goal. When that goal is the destruction of a certain class of people you create a self-devouring form of government: the oppressed become the oppressors…overthrow... repeat. This strategy is a poor one for placing your own system of government into a lasting authoritative role.

Finally, Mao's attempt at controlling the marketplace was flawed. If I were in power and realized that China needed to double its production of steel, I would not address the problem by asking farmers, doctors and their wives and children to make steel in their spare-time. Rather, I would increase the output of existing factories to their maximum, and have a portion of the population involved in the building of newer steel factories. I would then invest in the education of the public with a heavy emphasis placed on math, science and technology, in an effort to create a population that would, eventually, allow China to leap past other nations through superior intellect and innovation.