Case study - China and India compared

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

2 countries both emerging superpowers with vast pops = 1.3 billion in China and 1.2 billion India
Emerged independent states 1940s, different pathways

Question 2

Political and economic history

Answer 2

CHINA - dominant global power for 2,000 years, decline 19th century e.g. Japan invasion + European interference, manufacturing impressed European visitors with complexity + sophistication, 1985 - 33% global manufacturing production in China
INDIA - fell under influence of European colonial powers 18th century, direct colonial rule by British 19th century

Question 3

Key dates

Answer 3

CHINA - Communist revolution 1949

INDIA - Independence 1947

Question 4

Path to development

Answer 4

CHINA - state industrialisation +intensification of agriculture, largely cut off from ROTW, increasing eco reform + liberalisation since 1980 = explosion of foreign investment, manufacturing and trade
INDIA - policy of eco + political independence and home grown tech, high import tariffs - gradually lowered after 1990, still predominantly rural society but has built powerful/increasing global economy

Question 5

Relations with other superpowers

Answer 5

CHINA - sometimes hostile relationship with USA+Russia, relations thawed with USA 70’s due to communism, China investing in Asia + Africa
INDIA - neutral steering between USA + USSR, neither superpower happy with this policy, India worked hard to establish good relations with other countries