Written by Frank Li
In a previous post (What Would a Trump Presidency Look Like?), I spelled out several possibilities we might expect if Trump becomes President, encouraging him to strive for greatness matching China’s Deng.
By selecting Mike Pence, Governor of Indiana, as his running mate, Trump has further demonstrated his wisdom and potential for greatness. Therefore, a formal comparison between Donald Trump and Deng Xiaoping is due …
1. Deng Xiaoping
Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia – Deng Xiaoping:
Deng Xiaoping (Chinese: é‚“å°å¹³; 22 August 1904 – 19 February 1997) was a Chinese revolutionary and statesman. He was the paramount leader of China from 1978 until his retirement in 1989. After Mao Zedong‘s death, Deng led his country through far-reaching market-economy reforms. While Deng never held office as the head of state, head of government or General Secretary (that is, the leader of the Communist Party), he nonetheless was considered the “paramount leader” of the People’s Republic of China from December 1978 to 1992. As the core of the second-generation leaders of Communist Party of China, Deng shared his power with several powerful older politicians commonly known as the Eight Elders.
Inheriting a country fraught with social and institutional woes resulting from the Cultural Revolution and other political movements of the Mao era, Deng became the pre-eminent figure of the “second generation” of Chinese leadership. He is considered “the architect”[2] of a new brand of socialist thinking, combining the Communist Party’s socialist ideology with a pragmatic adoption of market economy practices. Deng opened China to foreign investment and the global market, and encouraged private competition. He is generally credited with developing China into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world for over 35 years and raising the standard of living of hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens.[3]
2. Donald Trump
Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia.org – Donald Trump:
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American businessman, television personality, author, and politician. He is chairman of The Trump Organization, which is the principal holding company for his real estate ventures and other business interests. He is also the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party for President of the United States in the 2016 election.
Trump won the highest number of states and votes in the primaries, culminating with a victory in Indiana on May 3, whereupon his remaining Republican rivals suspended their campaigns and Republican chairman Reince Priebus declared him to be the party’s presumptive nominee. Several weeks later, on May 26, the Associated Press reported that Trump had earned the 1,237 delegates needed to secure the nomination.
America is “desperately in need of a great transformational leader like China’s Deng” (Washington vs. Mao). Could Donald Trump possibly be that leader?
3. Trump vs. Deng
Right now, Trump is of little significance to his country’s success, as compared with Deng. However, Trump has the opportunity of matching Deng, provided that he becomes the next American President, amends the U.S. Constitution, and retires after his first term, all as I have previously suggested (What Would a Trump Presidency Look Like?).
With that, let’s look ahead to a possible future by fast forwarding to June 14, 2021 …
President Trump, now comfortably in retirement, invites me to his 75th birthday party. At that time, I would compare him with Deng in four categories as follows:
- Economic reforms.
- Political reforms.
- Approach.
- Legacy.
Let me elaborate on each …
3.1 Economic reforms
Deng successfully transformed China’s economy from communism to state capitalism, while President Trump revived America’s superior capitalism. Given the magnitude of such a daunting task, Deng achieved far more. Edge: Deng.
3.2 Political reforms
Deng transformed China’s political system from communism (or more precisely, feudalism, with Mao being the de facto last emperor) to a new form that is best described as “a dictatorship with a new dictator every 10 years” (Chinese Presidency: An Earned Kingship for 10 Years). It appeared to be slightly better than America’s political system (Towards an Ideal Form of Government) until 2017, when Trump became the American President. President Trump fundamentally changed America’s political system by amending the U.S. Constitution as follows:
- Limiting the American Presidency to one-term of six years. Very significantly, President Trump set a good example and sacrificed himself by serving only one four-year term, opting not to run for re-election.
- Raising the statutory requirements for the American Presidency, such as the minimum age to 55 and only after having served one full-term as state governor, at least. No more learn-on-the-job trainees!
- Introducing strict term limits for Congress. It is now one term of six years for both the House and Senate. No running for re-election, at all. Career politicians are out!
As a result, America’s political system is, once again, superior to China’s. Trump achieved far more than Deng. Edge: Trump.
3.3 Approach
Deng started with the economic reforms, saving China’s political system as a by-product. Trump did it the other way: he started with the political reforms, saving America’s economy as a by-product. Edge: Even.
3.4 Legacy
Both Trump and Deng left their jobs with their respective countries well positioned for the future. Edge: Even
3.5 Summary
Overall, Trump and Deng are even: 1 and 1.
4. Discussion
Deng’s place in history is well set: Deng has proven to be the greatest peaceful transformational leader in human history, in my humble opinion.
Trump’s place in history is still tenuous and in the making …
Mr. Trump, you have a powerful choice: Heed sound advice (What Would a Trump Presidency Look Like?): first become the next President and then strive for greatness matching China’s Deng, or, alternatively, remain a nobody – just a spot-filler President by luck and circumstance!
5. Closing
Mr. Trump, be great for America! The path to greatness has already been shown to you! For all our sakes, please listen and just do it!
Below would hopefully be America’s memory on your 75th birthday …
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