The whole notion of central planning where a single central authority micromanages every detail of the economy has always been just a straw man. In my opinion, the central government is best viewed as a central nervous system in the body. It doesn’t concern itself with the minutiae of how each particular organ functions, but rather coordinates the functioning of the body as a whole. Incidentally, seeing a society itself as an organism shines light on why central planning becomes necessary as a society grows. Same coordination problems arise that complex living organisms must solve, and thus we see self similar solutions emerge.
While true, the USSR (post NEP) is a good contrast to the Chinese model. The USSR attempted to centralize demand planning and price coordination across the whole economy.
They did, but there was still plenty local planning happening even within the Soviet system. What China shows is that it’s more efficient to push central planning even further to the top.
Yes, but it was local planning, which was a planning responsibility and scope delegated by central planning. Contrast this with China where there is a stock market and commodities market.
