Gutek, Chapter 16

My previous knowledge of Chinese history and politics was scarce before reading Chapter 16 in Gutek. It is interesting to compare the changes and revolutions that occurred in China to what I learned in my class last semester on the Cuban Revolution. Despite the dramatic progress that generally occurred at the beginning of these revolutions a continued focus on being revolutionary without a shift to productivity generally leads to destruction and falling behind as was experienced with the Mao administration with the “Great Leap Forward” movement. A generation of people that could have propelled the country forward economically and thereby politically never came into being. It is evident in studying these two revolutions that ideals and practicality have to find some sort of balance when it comes to ruling a nation. Similarly, in Cuba, Castro experienced a similar problem. After the excitement of the revolution died down, it became apparent that in order to preserve the nation, leaders had to slacken the restraints of their social and political ideals. It seems that extremes are excellent for enacting social and political change but not for sustainability.