Also, the democracy movement of 1989 was based on the same notion of democracy as the previous movements. Although these movements were based on democracy and freedom, the basis of these two terms was never defined throughout the movement. In accordance to the understanding of the students, democracy was described as the freedom of the press, better education policies, and freedom of demonstrations. Also, students did not demonstrate an understanding of a true democracy as the issue of elections was never raised. Regardless of the basis of this movement, it was ended in bloodshed, and was an event that had shaken Chinese history for years to come. A mere disappointment in the government’s reforms ended up in disastrous results.
In conclusion, the confusion of the ideals of democracy had profound impacts on Chinese society. To make matter worse, Deng’s economic policies became more repressive than he had ever promised, and the student rebellions were an attack against this repression. Although Deng had promised a socialist democracy, he, himself, did not have a true notion of a democratic society as his policies were everything that democracy was against. As any other ruler of the Chinese society, Deng became blind to the social effects that his policies were having on the Chinese people; he continued to implement policies at an ever-accelerating pace without realizing the impacts that they would have on the Chinese world. Although the economic results of Deng’s reforms resulted in a highly efficient country, the Chinese people are still feeling the social impacts today.
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