Discuss the successes and failures of Deng Xiaoping’s implementation of the Four Modernizations.

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the successes and failures of Deng Xiaoping’s implementation of the Four Modernizations. This is a question about a range of issues so the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre should not be the focus of the response. They may consider the successes and failures separately or they may adopt a chronological approach. Candidates may offer equal coverage of the successes and failures, or they may prioritize their discussion of one, but both will be a feature in relation to the implementation of the Four Modernizations. They may refer to Deng’s role as paramount leader, the aims of the Four Modernizations, the changes in education and technology, the introduction of individual enterprises, the Special Economic Zones (SEZs), the resistance to reform, the demands for the Fifth Modernization of democracy, and internal unrest. These need not all be covered or covered equally. While other, relevant, factors such as external pressures may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question.