GIANNI SALVINI e ELISABETTA ANDREIS

Un'analisi comparata del processo di transizione in Unione Sovietica 

e nella Repubblica Popolare Cinese  

N. 179

Summary — The article compares the China’s economic reform process with that of the USSR. Since 1978 China has gradually introduced market forms, decentralised economic decision-making and strengthend material incentives and competition. In almost all aspects China’s transformations has differed from accelerated comprehensive and fundamental pattern that has been followed by the Soviet Union. Gorbaciov, in fact, was engaged in promoting at same time political and economic reform. The simultaneity and the lack of flexibility are deemed to be the major cause of the eventual soviet regime collapse.

China’s reform have often been introduced on an experimental basis and are sectorally and locally differentiated. China has negotiated a series of small steps, moving from planned towards market socialism while retaining authoritarian communist Government.

Russia has promoted the political transition to a rudimental form of democracy and has done it in a way which appears rather smooth.

Russia and China have then undertaken separated ways of reform strongly conditioned by the paths of dependence. The final judgment over which got it right remains open to discussion.