So I am running a reading group as part of an organization. We're alternating Anarchist and Marxist books for the sake of being able to discuss a broad amount of socialist thought, and to encourage us to read different things. After we read Blackshirts and Reds some of us came to differing conclusions on whether Parenti was right about China. I took the stance that China's current system is still well justified by Marxist theory, but another member took the position essentially that this isn't necessarily a very different system to our own, tantamount to a new set of masters. We both agreed that a book about Dengism/SWCC might not be a bad idea to read if it covers the actual practice of the system rather than just being theory -- just reading the theory behind it wouldn't be enough to really answer the questions we have. As far as my limited understanding of Marxism tells me, the main objective of the party/what SWCC is seeking to do to make things better right now is suppression of the bourgeoisie, so I can understand the impact not being huge and transformative, but I'm sure there should be some improvements that are visible here and now -- like, it would be readily apparent what a difference is made if the bourgeoisie were suppressed in the US. Does anyone have any recommendations for where we might want to start on this?
Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China by Erza Vogel might be what you're looking for
Hmm, I like what I see so far from that book! It is a bit lengthy, but honestly China is a lot more relevant than any other socialist movement at the moment so it's probably worth sparing the extra time. Also helps that the author appears to be someone who should be fairly impartial on the subject.
Excerpts from Governance of China could be good. It's basically just speeches and essays, so find a few that aren't about hyper specific policy stuff and share them
Probably "Marxism and Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" its certified by the CPC
