The theory of transition in China : the thought of Liu Shaoqi.

Liu Shaoqi, the Chairman of the People's Republic from 1959 to 1968. had a coherent set of theories of transition which was distinctive from Maoism. Liu's theory resembled state capitalism, and the theory of transition of Nikolai Bukharin and Lenin, who believed that as long as the major industries were in the hands of the proletariat, the existence of a limited market economy and the retention of private ownership would not hinder a nation's progress towards socialism. Expanding from this principle, Liu believed that if the proletariat were in a ruling position, the purge of the bourgeoisie was not necessary as they could be educated and transformed into socialists. Therefore, Liu disliked class struggle, and did not see the ideological fractions within the Party as a threat to the central authority. The bottom line is that if the Communists' grip on power had not been challenged, a certain level of multiplicity should be tolerated. He distrusted mass mobilisation, and believed that transition to socialism could only be successful if it was under the guidance of the Party. As the nation's Chairman who carried out his job as Mao's front man, Liu had still managed to insert his line of thoughts into mainstream politics in disguised form, though from time to time he had to succumb to Mao's political power. Most writers from the West would regard Liu as Mao's puppet, particularly in view of his involvement in the Great Leap; whereas most Chinese writers from the PRC would try to portray him as the pioneer of market economy in support of China's economic policy. This study aims to show that beneath the facade of Mao's faithful lieutenant, Liu had been applying his own thoughts of transition in a coherent and defiant manner.