China Along the Yellow River: Reflections on Rural Society (Routledgecurzon Studies on the Chinese Economy)

This text had a major impact in its original Chinese version. Reviewed in the Far East Economic Review as 'one of the richest portraits of the Chinese countryside published in the reform era', it charts a long journey through the hinterland region of the Yellow River undertaken by the author between 1994 and 1996. It examines in exhaustive detail the lives and work of peasants, Party and local government officials, providing a wealth of data on the nature of life in post-reform rural China. The author argues that global integration is but the latest 'great leap forward' in a succession of reforms over a hundred years. This Book, By Leading Chinese Sociologist Cao Jinqing, Has Had A Major Impact In Its Original Chinese Version. Reviewed In The Far East Economic Review As 'one Of The Richest Portraits Of The Chinese Countryside Published In The Reform Era' The Book Charts A Long Journey Through The Hinterland Region Of The Yellow River Undertaken By The Author In 1996.. It Examines In Exhaustive Detail The Lives And Work Of Peasants, Party And Local Government Officials, Providing A Wealth Of Data On The Nature Of Life In Post-reform Rural China. The Author Argues That The Current Economic Reforms In China Have Brought Hardship For Many Small Farmers In China's Interior. The Latter, He Says, Are Being Driven Almost Beyond Endurance By Official Corruption And Excessive Taxation; In The Past They Have Frequently Rebelled, And He Questions Whether They Will Do So Again.--book Jacket. Translators' Foreword / Nicky Harman, Huang Ruhua -- Introduction: A Chinese Ethnography Of Rural State And Society / Rachel Murphy -- China Along The Yellow River -- Historical And Theoretical Aspects Of Sociological Research -- Making Arrangements -- Three Misfortunes Facing The Peasants -- Promotion Prospects -- A Visit To A Model Of Prosperity Village -- The Election Of The Top Ten Officials -- Two Wedding Customs: Pressing The Bed And Bean Stuffing -- A Woman Who Had Escaped The Confines Of Traditional Village Life -- A Visit To The Kaifeng County Party Secretary, Yang The Just -- The Apple Orchard Owner -- More On Village Part Secretaries And Corruption -- The Eye Goddess Temple -- Abortion Targets: Bureaucracy Gone Mad -- Imperious Officials In China's Interior -- An Economically Important Town: Chenliu -- Joint Enterprises And Family-run Businesses In Zhuqingzhai Village -- Local Government In A Predicament Over The Veto System -- The Carve-up Of Power At Xiang Or Town Level -- A Visit To Chenliu's Head Of Finance -- Liudian Xiang: Land Reclaimed From The Yellow River -- Liudian's Drainage Project -- Village Cadres Who Kept The Flood Drainage Work Going -- Five Perks For The Village Party Secretary -- Trip To Southern Henan -- Dual Field System -- A Reflection On The Xinyang Affair -- Some Issues Of Mutual Concern -- A Visit To The Xingyang Region -- Tensions Between Party And People -- Tobacco And Cotton: Crops Doomed To Fail -- One Person Can Make Or Break A Kingdom -- Can't Find A Law That Fits -- The County Head Talks About Controlling The Officials -- Visiting The Old Lady At Dongjia Huts -- Purchasing Favour Or Reciprocating Hospitality? -- Borrowing Money For Tax Payments -- An Episode At Zhengzhou Station -- The Final Stage Of My Trip: The Luo River -- How The Hill Folk Lived -- The Bullying Brothers -- Fighting For Poor County Status -- Cadre Visits Are A Waste Of Petrol -- Back From The Northern Chinese Plains. Cao Jinqing ; Translated By Nicky Harman And Huang Ruhua. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [243]-245) And Index. Book Cover......Page 1 Half-Title......Page 2 Title......Page 6 Copyright......Page 7 Contents......Page 8 Translators’ foreword......Page 9 Introduction......Page 12 China Along the Yellow River......Page 26 Notes......Page 221 Appendix......Page 224 Index......Page 228