Mao Zedong's Exploration of China's Rural Modernization
Mao Zedong’s Explorations in the Modernization of Rural China utilizes extensive historical materials to conduct a systematic study of Mao Zedong’s explorations into the path of rural socialist modernization following the founding of New China, employing the dual perspectives of socialism and modernization. From the background of these explorations to the establishment of the political prerequisites and institutional safeguards for rural socialist modernization, through the comprehensive promotion of this modernization, the efforts to consolidate its systems, and the twists and turns encountered along the way, this work provides an in-depth analysis of the positive outcomes and experiences of Mao Zedong’s pursuit of a rural socialist modernization path. Characterized by rich historical data, penetrating analysis, and impartial evaluation, the book deepens the study of Mao Zedong’s later years and facilitates a correct understanding of rural development conditions prior to Reform and Opening-up [1]. The lessons and experiences summarized herein regarding Mao Zedong’s exploration of the path for rural socialist modernization hold significant historical reference and practical guidance for the construction of a New Socialist Countryside [2] today.
About the Author
Gong Yun: Born in September 1971, PhD in History. He is the Executive Deputy Director of the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Deputy Director of the Center for the Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, and Deputy Director of the World Socialism Research Center, holding the rank of Researcher. He also serves as a Director of the Association of National History of the People's Republic of China, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Atheism Society, and Deputy Secretary-General of the China Society for Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Studies, as well as a Chief Expert for major projects under the National Marxism Theory Research and Construction Project (Ma-Gong-Cheng) [3]. Having long researched the theory and practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics, he has independently published six books and nearly a hundred academic articles in publications such as Guangming Daily, China Social Sciences Daily, Qiushi, Party Building Research, Studies on Marxism, Social Sciences in Chinese Higher Education Institutions, Red Flag Manuscript, and Guide to Ideological and Theoretical Education. His co-authored work, An Intellectual History of 30 Years of Reform and Opening-up, won the Third Prize for Outstanding Scientific Research Achievement from CASS, and his co-authored The China Path was selected for the 2013 national "Three One-Hundred Original Books Project." He has received a Second Prize for major project research achievements from the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, as well as one Special Prize, three First Prizes, three Second Prizes, and five Third Prizes for Information Policy Research from CASS. He has repeatedly undertaken research tasks commissioned by central departments, including the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, the Publicity Department, the Organization Department, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the State Council Information Office, and the Ministry of Finance. His internal reports have received written instructions [4] from General Secretary Xi Jinping three times, from members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau four times, and from State Councilors once.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Let the Peasants Stand Up, Let the Peasants Become Prosperous
Chapter 1: The Background of Exploring Rural Socialist Modernization in China Section 1: The International Background Section 2: The Domestic Background
Chapter 2: The Necessary Condition for Rural Socialist Modernization in China: Land Reform Section 1: Land Reform after the Founding of New China Section 2: The Great Significance of Land Reform
Chapter 3: Institutional Safeguards for Rural Socialist Modernization in China (I): Agricultural Cooperativization Section 1: The Theoretical Basis of Agricultural Cooperativization: Discourses of the Classical Authors [5] Section 2: The Process of Agricultural Cooperativization Section 3: Evaluation of Agricultural Cooperativization
Chapter 4: Institutional Safeguards for Rural Socialist Modernization in China (II): The People's Commune Movement Section 1: Mao Zedong’s Reasons for Launching the People's Commune Movement Section 2: The Process of Mao Zedong’s Launching of the People's Commune Movement Section 3: Mao Zedong’s Exploration of the Operating Mechanisms of the People's Commune Section 4: Evaluation of the People's Commune
Chapter 5: The Comprehensive Unfolding of Rural Socialist Modernization in China (I) Section 1: Formulating the Draft National Program for Agricultural Development (1956–1967) Section 2: Promoting the All-around Development of Agriculture: Simultaneous Development of Farming, Forestry, Animal Husbandry, Side-occupations, and Fisheries Section 3: Proposing the "Eight-Point Charter for Agriculture" [6] Section 4: Proposing "The Fundamental Way Out for Agriculture Lies in Mechanization" Section 5: Proposing "Great, Bright, and Splendid Hope": Rural Industrialization
Chapter 6: The Comprehensive Unfolding of Rural Socialist Modernization in China (II) Section 1: Launching the "Great Leap Forward" [7] in Agriculture Section 2: The Comprehensive Development of Rural Social Undertakings Section 3: Rural Political Modernization
Chapter 7: Efforts to Consolidate the Rural Socialist Modernization System: The Socialist Education Movement [8] Section 1: The Origins of the Socialist Education Movement Section 2: The Process of the Socialist Education Movement
Chapter 8: Twists and Turns in the Exploration of Rural Socialist Modernization in China Section 1: "In Agriculture, Learn from Dazhai" [9] Section 2: The "May 7th Road" [10] Section 3: "Grasp Revolution, Promote Production": The Rural Cultural Revolution
Conclusion: Historical Reflections Section 1: Achievements of the Exploration Section 2: Lessons from the Exploration Section 3: Insights from the Exploration