You-tien Hsing
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199568048
- eISBN:
- 9780191721632
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199568048.001.0001
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Political Economy
This book emphasizes the centrality of cities in China's ongoing transformation. Based on fieldwork in twenty-four Chinese cities between 1996 and 2007, the author forwards an analysis of the ...
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This book emphasizes the centrality of cities in China's ongoing transformation. Based on fieldwork in twenty-four Chinese cities between 1996 and 2007, the author forwards an analysis of the relations between the city, the state, and society through two novel concepts: urbanization of the local state and civic territoriality. Urbanization of the local state is a process of state power restructuring entailing an accumulation regime based on the commodification of state-owned land, the consolidation of territorial authority through construction projects, and a policy discourse dominated by notions of urban modernity. Civic territoriality encompasses the politics of distribution engendered by urban expansionism, and social actors' territorial strategies toward self-protection. Findings are based on observations in three types of places. In the inner city of major metropolitan centers, municipal governments battle high-ranking state agencies to secure land rents from redevelopment projects, while residents mobilize to assert property and residential rights. At the urban edge, as metropolitan governments seek to extend control over their rural hinterland through massive-scale development projects, villagers strategize to profit from the encroaching property market. At the rural fringe, township leaders become brokers of power and property between the state bureaucracy and villages, while large numbers of peasants are dispossessed, dispersed, and deterritorialized; their mobilizational capacity is consequently undermined.Less
This book emphasizes the centrality of cities in China's ongoing transformation. Based on fieldwork in twenty-four Chinese cities between 1996 and 2007, the author forwards an analysis of the relations between the city, the state, and society through two novel concepts: urbanization of the local state and civic territoriality. Urbanization of the local state is a process of state power restructuring entailing an accumulation regime based on the commodification of state-owned land, the consolidation of territorial authority through construction projects, and a policy discourse dominated by notions of urban modernity. Civic territoriality encompasses the politics of distribution engendered by urban expansionism, and social actors' territorial strategies toward self-protection. Findings are based on observations in three types of places. In the inner city of major metropolitan centers, municipal governments battle high-ranking state agencies to secure land rents from redevelopment projects, while residents mobilize to assert property and residential rights. At the urban edge, as metropolitan governments seek to extend control over their rural hinterland through massive-scale development projects, villagers strategize to profit from the encroaching property market. At the rural fringe, township leaders become brokers of power and property between the state bureaucracy and villages, while large numbers of peasants are dispossessed, dispersed, and deterritorialized; their mobilizational capacity is consequently undermined.
Andrzej Bolesta
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9781447321507
- eISBN:
- 9781447321514
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447321507.003.0003
- Subject:
- Political Science, Public Policy
As it embraces around 25 percent of the human population, post-socialist transformation is by all means a process of historical significance. It is hardly possible to imagine complex and extensive ...
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As it embraces around 25 percent of the human population, post-socialist transformation is by all means a process of historical significance. It is hardly possible to imagine complex and extensive systemic changes that equal those taking place in parts of Europe and Asia. The process is twofold in nature; from the political perspective, authoritarian regimes are being replaced by democracies and, from the socio-economic perspective, the systems are being transformed from centrally-planned economies to market economies. This chapter examines the process of post-socialist transformation. It begins with the analysis of the general theory and discusses the main threads of the debate on the modes of transformation in reference to the so-called Washington Consensus. This is followed by a detailed analysis of post-socialist transformation in China. It is argued that China is indeed a post-socialist state in the process of systemic reformulation. The examination concerns China's transformation's political and economic features, its chronology and various perspectives. It is compared with the processes in other post-socialist countries. Finally, the developmental exceptionality of China's transformation is illustrated using quantitative examination.Less
As it embraces around 25 percent of the human population, post-socialist transformation is by all means a process of historical significance. It is hardly possible to imagine complex and extensive systemic changes that equal those taking place in parts of Europe and Asia. The process is twofold in nature; from the political perspective, authoritarian regimes are being replaced by democracies and, from the socio-economic perspective, the systems are being transformed from centrally-planned economies to market economies. This chapter examines the process of post-socialist transformation. It begins with the analysis of the general theory and discusses the main threads of the debate on the modes of transformation in reference to the so-called Washington Consensus. This is followed by a detailed analysis of post-socialist transformation in China. It is argued that China is indeed a post-socialist state in the process of systemic reformulation. The examination concerns China's transformation's political and economic features, its chronology and various perspectives. It is compared with the processes in other post-socialist countries. Finally, the developmental exceptionality of China's transformation is illustrated using quantitative examination.
Andrzej Bolesta
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9781447321507
- eISBN:
- 9781447321514
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447321507.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Public Policy
The re-emergence of China as an economic superpower is a spectacular phenomenon. How has it happened? Where does China go? Is there a model which China is believed to have been following and does the ...
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The re-emergence of China as an economic superpower is a spectacular phenomenon. How has it happened? Where does China go? Is there a model which China is believed to have been following and does the model offer some transferable lessons? This book tries to answer those questions, as it is intended to contribute to the explanation of China's contemporary development trajectory. There is a plethora of analyses of post-Mao China's transformation and development. However, this book is the first comprehensive attempt to frame China's advancements within the context of the East Asian developmental miracle. It is argued here that China is a genus of post-socialist developmental state model, which fuses the two intellectual streams, that of the concept of the developmental state and that of post-socialist transformation. As China transits from central planning to market, it tries to imitate the institutions and policies of Japan and South Korea during their high growth periods of the second half of the twentieth century. This approach – broadly in opposition to the 30 years of neo-liberal propaganda worldwide – has brought impressive results and gives us some predictability as to the future. The book is divided into five chapters. Chapter one examines the concept of the developmental state. Chapter two focuses on post-socialist transformation in China. Chapter three is a comparative analysis of systemic and institutional arrangements of China, Japan and Korea. Chapter four discusses the three countries’ development policies. Chapter five examines China as a post-socialist developmental state and discusses the model's broader applicability.Less
The re-emergence of China as an economic superpower is a spectacular phenomenon. How has it happened? Where does China go? Is there a model which China is believed to have been following and does the model offer some transferable lessons? This book tries to answer those questions, as it is intended to contribute to the explanation of China's contemporary development trajectory. There is a plethora of analyses of post-Mao China's transformation and development. However, this book is the first comprehensive attempt to frame China's advancements within the context of the East Asian developmental miracle. It is argued here that China is a genus of post-socialist developmental state model, which fuses the two intellectual streams, that of the concept of the developmental state and that of post-socialist transformation. As China transits from central planning to market, it tries to imitate the institutions and policies of Japan and South Korea during their high growth periods of the second half of the twentieth century. This approach – broadly in opposition to the 30 years of neo-liberal propaganda worldwide – has brought impressive results and gives us some predictability as to the future. The book is divided into five chapters. Chapter one examines the concept of the developmental state. Chapter two focuses on post-socialist transformation in China. Chapter three is a comparative analysis of systemic and institutional arrangements of China, Japan and Korea. Chapter four discusses the three countries’ development policies. Chapter five examines China as a post-socialist developmental state and discusses the model's broader applicability.
Andrzej Bolesta
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9781447321507
- eISBN:
- 9781447321514
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447321507.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, Public Policy
This chapter explains China's contemporary development trajectory. It examines the main features of the post-socialist developmental state (PSDS), as one which fuses the two intellectual streams, ...
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This chapter explains China's contemporary development trajectory. It examines the main features of the post-socialist developmental state (PSDS), as one which fuses the two intellectual streams, that of the concept of the developmental state and that of post-socialist transformation. It is argued that China has become a genus of the PSDS model and that this model provides an explanation for the institutional and policy choices of the state leadership during the time of systemic transformation. The concept of post-socialist developmental state is believed to be a normative model, with transferable lessons for underdeveloped countries in systemic transition. For the post-socialist states it is seen as the logical consequence of transformation, which was not employed due to international pressure. For other underdeveloped countries it is offered as a general developmental guidance, valid particularly now when neo-liberalism has been discredited and the criticism of global capitalism is mounting, and there is indeed some space to be less doctrinaire in an attempt to accelerate development. The chapter starts with the examination of the PSDS features. It then continues with the explanation of China's development as a genus of the PSDS model. Finally it examines the model's broader applicability.Less
This chapter explains China's contemporary development trajectory. It examines the main features of the post-socialist developmental state (PSDS), as one which fuses the two intellectual streams, that of the concept of the developmental state and that of post-socialist transformation. It is argued that China has become a genus of the PSDS model and that this model provides an explanation for the institutional and policy choices of the state leadership during the time of systemic transformation. The concept of post-socialist developmental state is believed to be a normative model, with transferable lessons for underdeveloped countries in systemic transition. For the post-socialist states it is seen as the logical consequence of transformation, which was not employed due to international pressure. For other underdeveloped countries it is offered as a general developmental guidance, valid particularly now when neo-liberalism has been discredited and the criticism of global capitalism is mounting, and there is indeed some space to be less doctrinaire in an attempt to accelerate development. The chapter starts with the examination of the PSDS features. It then continues with the explanation of China's development as a genus of the PSDS model. Finally it examines the model's broader applicability.
Charlene Makley
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780520250598
- eISBN:
- 9780520940536
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520250598.001.0001
- Subject:
- Anthropology, Asian Cultural Anthropology
This wide-ranging, keenly observed study provides an account of the highly contested process through which the Tibetan Buddhist region of Labrang became incorporated into the People's Republic of ...
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This wide-ranging, keenly observed study provides an account of the highly contested process through which the Tibetan Buddhist region of Labrang became incorporated into the People's Republic of China. Drawing from thirteen years of archival research and fieldwork in and around the famous Geluk sect Tibetan Buddhist monastery, this book situates the process of incorporation in the violent upheavals of Maoist socialist transformation that took place from 1950 through the 1970s, and in the transition to globalization via Deng Xiaoping's capitalist market reforms of the 1980s and 1990s. Synthesizing social theory drawn from anthropology, political economy, gender studies, and linguistic anthropology, it finds that incorporation had quite different effects for Tibetan men and women, creating painful dilemmas across generations. The study provides a sensitive and controversial examination of many different Tibetan voices and opens a new perspective on Sino-Tibetan relations in this important frontier region.Less
This wide-ranging, keenly observed study provides an account of the highly contested process through which the Tibetan Buddhist region of Labrang became incorporated into the People's Republic of China. Drawing from thirteen years of archival research and fieldwork in and around the famous Geluk sect Tibetan Buddhist monastery, this book situates the process of incorporation in the violent upheavals of Maoist socialist transformation that took place from 1950 through the 1970s, and in the transition to globalization via Deng Xiaoping's capitalist market reforms of the 1980s and 1990s. Synthesizing social theory drawn from anthropology, political economy, gender studies, and linguistic anthropology, it finds that incorporation had quite different effects for Tibetan men and women, creating painful dilemmas across generations. The study provides a sensitive and controversial examination of many different Tibetan voices and opens a new perspective on Sino-Tibetan relations in this important frontier region.
Irena Kogan, Clemens Noelke, and Michael Gebel (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- June 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780804775908
- eISBN:
- 9780804778954
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Stanford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.11126/stanford/9780804775908.001.0001
- Subject:
- Sociology, Social Stratification, Inequality, and Mobility
After the breakdown of socialism in Central and Eastern Europe, the role of education systems in preparing students for the “real world” changed. Though young people were freed from coercive state ...
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After the breakdown of socialism in Central and Eastern Europe, the role of education systems in preparing students for the “real world” changed. Though young people were freed from coercive state institutions, the shift to capitalism made the transition from school to work much more precarious and increased inequality in early career outcomes. This volume provides the first large-scale analysis of the impact social transformation has had on young people in their transition from school to work in Central and Eastern European countries. Written by local experts, the book examines the process for those entering the workforce under socialism, during the turbulent transformation years, in the early 2000s, and today. It considers both the risks and opportunities that have emerged, and reveals how they are distributed across social groups. Only by studying these changes can we better understand the long-term impact of socialism and post-socialist transformation on the problems young people in this part of the world are facing today.Less
After the breakdown of socialism in Central and Eastern Europe, the role of education systems in preparing students for the “real world” changed. Though young people were freed from coercive state institutions, the shift to capitalism made the transition from school to work much more precarious and increased inequality in early career outcomes. This volume provides the first large-scale analysis of the impact social transformation has had on young people in their transition from school to work in Central and Eastern European countries. Written by local experts, the book examines the process for those entering the workforce under socialism, during the turbulent transformation years, in the early 2000s, and today. It considers both the risks and opportunities that have emerged, and reveals how they are distributed across social groups. Only by studying these changes can we better understand the long-term impact of socialism and post-socialist transformation on the problems young people in this part of the world are facing today.
Thomas Pfister
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780719083310
- eISBN:
- 9781781704653
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9780719083310.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, European Union
While largely following the same structure as the previous two chapters, the specific historical characteristics of Hungary’s post-socialist transformation and its EU accession demand a slightly ...
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While largely following the same structure as the previous two chapters, the specific historical characteristics of Hungary’s post-socialist transformation and its EU accession demand a slightly extended first section and more background. On the one hand, citizenship practices have been in turmoil, particularly with respect to the situation of women in the labour market. On the other hand, against the background of immense institutional and cultural transformations, the weakening of gender equality within the conceptual activation debate at EU level has had the most serious effects. In particular, the introduction of a comprehensive Equal Treatment Act in 2004 brought a whole set of new rights (to equality and non-discrimination). However, given the limited resources of the institutional equality framework, the weak voice of the feminist movement, and a general conservative (and increasingly polarized) public discourse gender issues have been facing serious problems. In short, the re-structuring of citizenship in Hungary brought about important rights but not citizenship practices in terms of access to those rights.Less
While largely following the same structure as the previous two chapters, the specific historical characteristics of Hungary’s post-socialist transformation and its EU accession demand a slightly extended first section and more background. On the one hand, citizenship practices have been in turmoil, particularly with respect to the situation of women in the labour market. On the other hand, against the background of immense institutional and cultural transformations, the weakening of gender equality within the conceptual activation debate at EU level has had the most serious effects. In particular, the introduction of a comprehensive Equal Treatment Act in 2004 brought a whole set of new rights (to equality and non-discrimination). However, given the limited resources of the institutional equality framework, the weak voice of the feminist movement, and a general conservative (and increasingly polarized) public discourse gender issues have been facing serious problems. In short, the re-structuring of citizenship in Hungary brought about important rights but not citizenship practices in terms of access to those rights.
Di Wang
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- January 2019
- ISBN:
- 9781501715488
- eISBN:
- 9781501715556
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7591/cornell/9781501715488.003.0002
- Subject:
- History, Asian History
This chapter explores the fate of local trade organizations in the early 1950s. By examining the transformation and demise of the existing, older Teahouse Guild in Chengdu, we see how the state could ...
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This chapter explores the fate of local trade organizations in the early 1950s. By examining the transformation and demise of the existing, older Teahouse Guild in Chengdu, we see how the state could manipulate such organizations to achieve control of small businesses. Once the socialist agenda was put into motion and the state used the organizations to gain total control over all aspects of business, it greatly diminished their functioning as open public spaces, nearly destroying the latter aspect. The fate of the Teahouse Guild after 1949 was a reflection of the attempted elimination of an urbane and culture-filled “society” overall and the attendant public sphere. In the city, all organizations at all levels, from streets to danwei, became parts of the state administration and under the control of a new type of officialdom. During the early and middle 1950s, the CCP launched a collectivization movement through which most privately owned teahouses in Chengdu were forcibly brought under collective ownership.Less
This chapter explores the fate of local trade organizations in the early 1950s. By examining the transformation and demise of the existing, older Teahouse Guild in Chengdu, we see how the state could manipulate such organizations to achieve control of small businesses. Once the socialist agenda was put into motion and the state used the organizations to gain total control over all aspects of business, it greatly diminished their functioning as open public spaces, nearly destroying the latter aspect. The fate of the Teahouse Guild after 1949 was a reflection of the attempted elimination of an urbane and culture-filled “society” overall and the attendant public sphere. In the city, all organizations at all levels, from streets to danwei, became parts of the state administration and under the control of a new type of officialdom. During the early and middle 1950s, the CCP launched a collectivization movement through which most privately owned teahouses in Chengdu were forcibly brought under collective ownership.
Pierre Asselin
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- May 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780520276123
- eISBN:
- 9780520956551
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520276123.003.0004
- Subject:
- History, World Modern History
Judging conditions internationally and domestically unfavorable to escalation in the South, Hanoi exercised caution. But Hanoi’s refusal to involve the DRVN more deeply below the seventeenth parallel ...
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Judging conditions internationally and domestically unfavorable to escalation in the South, Hanoi exercised caution. But Hanoi’s refusal to involve the DRVN more deeply below the seventeenth parallel amplified intraparty tensions. To the militants’ dismay, the party’s Third National Congress in the fall not only reaffirmed Hanoi’s commitment to the socialist transformation of the northern economy, to the “North-first” policy, but also decreed a division of revolutionary labor between northerners and southerners that meant southern insurgents would henceforth have to fend for themselves. Militants did, however, get some reprieve in December, when Hanoi announced the formation of a new united front in the South, the National Liberation Front.Less
Judging conditions internationally and domestically unfavorable to escalation in the South, Hanoi exercised caution. But Hanoi’s refusal to involve the DRVN more deeply below the seventeenth parallel amplified intraparty tensions. To the militants’ dismay, the party’s Third National Congress in the fall not only reaffirmed Hanoi’s commitment to the socialist transformation of the northern economy, to the “North-first” policy, but also decreed a division of revolutionary labor between northerners and southerners that meant southern insurgents would henceforth have to fend for themselves. Militants did, however, get some reprieve in December, when Hanoi announced the formation of a new united front in the South, the National Liberation Front.
Fenggang Yang
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199735655
- eISBN:
- 9780199918591
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199735655.003.0004
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
Chapter Four traces the historical evolution of the religious policy under Chinese Communist rule. During the 60 years of Communist rule in China, the atheism-based regulation of religion has had ...
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Chapter Four traces the historical evolution of the religious policy under Chinese Communist rule. During the 60 years of Communist rule in China, the atheism-based regulation of religion has had four distinct periods: (1) co-option and control: 1949 to 1957; (2) active suppression of religious practices and organizations: 1957 to 1966; (3) eradication of religious beliefs, practices and venues: 1966 to 1979; and (4) limited tolerance and increased regulation: 1979 to 2009. The tenets of the current religious policy was initially designed in the late 1950s and intended for a totalitarian society with a centrally-planned economy. It has become seriously outmoded during the era of market transition since 1979.Less
Chapter Four traces the historical evolution of the religious policy under Chinese Communist rule. During the 60 years of Communist rule in China, the atheism-based regulation of religion has had four distinct periods: (1) co-option and control: 1949 to 1957; (2) active suppression of religious practices and organizations: 1957 to 1966; (3) eradication of religious beliefs, practices and venues: 1966 to 1979; and (4) limited tolerance and increased regulation: 1979 to 2009. The tenets of the current religious policy was initially designed in the late 1950s and intended for a totalitarian society with a centrally-planned economy. It has become seriously outmoded during the era of market transition since 1979.
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- August 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780262090452
- eISBN:
- 9780262255127
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262090452.003.0007
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Media Studies
This book presents an argument against adopting the globalization vision of neoimperial power interests. The importance of studying globalization from the perspective of a set of political and ...
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This book presents an argument against adopting the globalization vision of neoimperial power interests. The importance of studying globalization from the perspective of a set of political and economic games rather than as a zero-sum game is discussed. The use of a game model theory for understanding globalization variables such as flow, scape, and network is presented. Implications of media globalization along with the importance of its interdisciplinary understanding are emphasized. The use of the postsocialist transformation model for observing the flow of capitalist globalization and other hidden continuities is discussed. The importance of understanding the global peripheries' complex interdisciplinary analysis for understanding and mapping transnational media trends is discussed.Less
This book presents an argument against adopting the globalization vision of neoimperial power interests. The importance of studying globalization from the perspective of a set of political and economic games rather than as a zero-sum game is discussed. The use of a game model theory for understanding globalization variables such as flow, scape, and network is presented. Implications of media globalization along with the importance of its interdisciplinary understanding are emphasized. The use of the postsocialist transformation model for observing the flow of capitalist globalization and other hidden continuities is discussed. The importance of understanding the global peripheries' complex interdisciplinary analysis for understanding and mapping transnational media trends is discussed.
Benno Weiner
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- January 2021
- ISBN:
- 9781501749391
- eISBN:
- 9781501749421
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7591/cornell/9781501749391.001.0001
- Subject:
- Anthropology, Asian Cultural Anthropology
This book provides the first in-depth study of an ethnic minority region during the first decade of the People's Republic of China: the Amdo region in the Sino-Tibetan borderland. Employing ...
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This book provides the first in-depth study of an ethnic minority region during the first decade of the People's Republic of China: the Amdo region in the Sino-Tibetan borderland. Employing previously inaccessible local archives as well as other rare primary sources, the book demonstrates that the Communist Party's goal in 1950s Amdo was not just state-building, but also nation-building. Such an objective required the construction of narratives and policies capable of convincing Tibetans of their membership in a wider political community. As the book shows, however, early efforts to gradually and organically transform a vast multiethnic empire into a singular nation-state lost out to a revolutionary impatience, demanding more immediate paths to national integration and socialist transformation. This led in 1958 to communization, then to large-scale rebellion and its brutal pacification. Rather than joining voluntarily, Amdo was integrated through the widespread, often indiscriminate use of violence, a violence that lingers in the living memory of Amdo Tibetans and others.Less
This book provides the first in-depth study of an ethnic minority region during the first decade of the People's Republic of China: the Amdo region in the Sino-Tibetan borderland. Employing previously inaccessible local archives as well as other rare primary sources, the book demonstrates that the Communist Party's goal in 1950s Amdo was not just state-building, but also nation-building. Such an objective required the construction of narratives and policies capable of convincing Tibetans of their membership in a wider political community. As the book shows, however, early efforts to gradually and organically transform a vast multiethnic empire into a singular nation-state lost out to a revolutionary impatience, demanding more immediate paths to national integration and socialist transformation. This led in 1958 to communization, then to large-scale rebellion and its brutal pacification. Rather than joining voluntarily, Amdo was integrated through the widespread, often indiscriminate use of violence, a violence that lingers in the living memory of Amdo Tibetans and others.
Benno Weiner
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- January 2021
- ISBN:
- 9781501749391
- eISBN:
- 9781501749421
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7591/cornell/9781501749391.003.0008
- Subject:
- Anthropology, Asian Cultural Anthropology
This chapter surveys events leading up to the Amdo Rebellion, its devastating course, and its immediate consequences. Both contemporary and secondary Chinese-language sources describe the Amdo ...
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This chapter surveys events leading up to the Amdo Rebellion, its devastating course, and its immediate consequences. Both contemporary and secondary Chinese-language sources describe the Amdo Rebellion as a principally pastoral affair prompted by elite resistance to collectivization. Some even refer to the uprising as “Qinghai's pastoral region armed rebellion.” However, it is important to note that under a policy referred to as Strike and Reform (Bianda Biangai), in most pastoral regions it would be during the pacification of the rebellion that “democratic reforms” were finally fully implemented and socialist transformation completed. In fact, at the time, Qinghai's leadership claimed that the rebellion was most ferocious in places where pastoral cooperatives had yet to be established and the power of “feudal” elites therefore was still largely intact. Rather than a response to the implementation of cooperatives, as both Chinese sources and popular memory frequently suggest, it appears that the rebellion began as an attempt to preempt collectivization in pastoral areas.Less
This chapter surveys events leading up to the Amdo Rebellion, its devastating course, and its immediate consequences. Both contemporary and secondary Chinese-language sources describe the Amdo Rebellion as a principally pastoral affair prompted by elite resistance to collectivization. Some even refer to the uprising as “Qinghai's pastoral region armed rebellion.” However, it is important to note that under a policy referred to as Strike and Reform (Bianda Biangai), in most pastoral regions it would be during the pacification of the rebellion that “democratic reforms” were finally fully implemented and socialist transformation completed. In fact, at the time, Qinghai's leadership claimed that the rebellion was most ferocious in places where pastoral cooperatives had yet to be established and the power of “feudal” elites therefore was still largely intact. Rather than a response to the implementation of cooperatives, as both Chinese sources and popular memory frequently suggest, it appears that the rebellion began as an attempt to preempt collectivization in pastoral areas.