651. An Analysis of Chinese Communist Economic Power
- Author
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ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA, Matthes, Harold K., ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA, and Matthes, Harold K.
- Abstract
The international interest aroused by Communist China has steadily increased yearly since she gained control of the mainland in 1949. The author feared that the Sino-Soviet rift would act as an accelerator of world unrest, as China thrusts and parries with Russia for the predominant role in the Communist world. In spite of the rift having a retarding effect on China's growth, however, the Chinese have never lost sight of their world power goal. Like an ant colony, China labors incessantly toward that end. The recent explosion of two nuclear devices has increased world anxiety as to her power potential. The objective of this thesis is to analyze the economic power of Communist China with an ultimate conclusion as to her capability to rise to a world power by 1980. Inasmuch as China is an agrarian state and must depend upon the products of the earth for economic growth, the agricultural sector was examined in detail and found lacking in general. The elements of industry, demography, transportation, and natural resources were examined only to illustrate their bearing on China's economic growth potential through agriculture. However, it was discovered that her exploding population has had a negative effect on any improvements sustained in economic growth. China's transportation facilities as well as a faltering industrial base are totally inadequate. Lastly, it was apparent that the extremely limited capital available for investment is seriously curtailing a rapid growth rate, which is mandatory for the development of a modern powerful nation. There are no indications that China will solve these problems in the next 15 years. Therefore, she will not become a modern power in a class with the United States or the USSR by 1980., Replaces ADE750444.
- Published
- 1966