Philosophical Influence:
Traditional Chinese Thought:
Confucian Pragmatism: Deng prioritized practical outcomes over ideological purity, mirroring the Confucian emphasis on adaptability and balance (Zhong Yong or the Doctrine of the Mean).
School of Agriculture: His reforms echoed traditional respect for agrarian prosperity while modernizing agriculture.
Foreign Influences:
Market Socialism: Inspired by global economic trends, Deng incorporated market mechanisms within the socialist framework.
Marxism-Leninism: Retained the socialist foundation but focused on productive forces rather than class struggle.
Philosophical Contributions:
Reform and Opening-Up (改革开放): Balancing socialism with market principles, encapsulating the yin-yang dynamic of dual forces working together.
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics: A practical adaptation of socialism, emphasizing the development of the economy while maintaining Party control.
Economic Pragmatism: "It doesn’t matter whether a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice" reflects the Daoist principle of effectiveness over formality.