The Worker-Peasant Alliance as a Strategy for Rural Development in China

Abstract

During the past few years, some high level government officials and many social scientists in China have admitted the many accomplishments made in rural areas under the leadership of Mao Zedong. While acknowledging the building of an agricultural infrastructure, the increase in land productivity, the mechanization of agricultural production, and the provision of the basic necessities of life for the majority of China's rural population, they have conveniently avoided analyzing Mao's model of development. Such an analysis would reveal the fundamental differences between two lines—Mao's versus Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping's—and would undermine Deng's interpretation of China's development and the reasons behind his reform.This article can also be found at the Monthly Review website, where most recent articles are published in full.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.