The Four Modernizations
- Deng took a more practical approach than Mao. His goals were more
realistic.
- He created the Four Modernizations (agriculture,
industry, science & technology, and national defense) program,
with intentions of reform.
- He completely revolutionized agriculture, changing the system from Communes to government controlled lands rented out to family. He allowed the families to choose their own crops, and after giving a portion of it to the government, any leftovers were allowed to be sold at markets at any price the farmers wished to sell them at. This was a great way to motivate people.
- He replaced the heavy industries with light industries,
and rewarded those who found ways to produce more efficiently. - Heavy industries consisted of: iron, steel, and machines. By the 1980's technology was outdated and inefficient in China.
- Light industries consisted of: clothing, appliances and bikes. As an incentive, Deng gave factory managers more decision making power
- Deng made China one of the major exporting nations of the world by opening
Four Special Economic Zones in places like Taiwan (Chinese Tai-Pei) and Hong Kong - During Deng’s time, the production of goods increased yearly by 6.5% percent with the Four Modernizations
- By 2006, 80% of goods were made in China, thanks to Deng Xiaoping’s four
modernizations