China's Road to Disaster: Mao, Central Politicians and Provincial Leaders in the Great Leap Forward, 1955-59

Mao, Central Politicians and Provincial Leaders in the Great Leap Forward, 1955-59

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, Ethnic Studies, Political Science, International, International Relations
Cover of the book China's Road to Disaster: Mao, Central Politicians and Provincial Leaders in the Great Leap Forward, 1955-59 by Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun ISBN: 9781315502793
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: July 1, 2016
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun
ISBN: 9781315502793
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: July 1, 2016
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This text analyzes the dramatic shifts in Chinese Communist Party economic policy during the mid to late 1950s which eventually resulted in 30 to 45 million deaths through starvation as a result of the failed policies of the Great Leap Forward. Teiwes examines both the substance and the process of economic policy-making in that period, explaining how the rational policies of opposing rash advance in 1956-57 gave way to the fanciful policies of the Great Leap, and assessing responsibility for the failure to adjust adequately those policies even as signs of disaster began to reach higher level decision makers. In telling this story, Teiwes focuses on key participants in the process throughout both "rational" and "utopian" phases - Mao, other top leaders, central economic bureaucracies and local party leaders. The analysis rejects both of the existing influential explanations in the field, the long dominant power politics approach focusing on alleged clashes within the top leadership, and David Bachman's recent institutional interpretation of the origins of the Great Leap. Instead, this study presents a detailed picture of an exceptionally Mao-dominated process, where no other actor challenged his position, where the boldest step any actor took was to try and influence his preferences, and where the system in effect became paralyzed while Mao kept changing signals as disaster unfolded.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This text analyzes the dramatic shifts in Chinese Communist Party economic policy during the mid to late 1950s which eventually resulted in 30 to 45 million deaths through starvation as a result of the failed policies of the Great Leap Forward. Teiwes examines both the substance and the process of economic policy-making in that period, explaining how the rational policies of opposing rash advance in 1956-57 gave way to the fanciful policies of the Great Leap, and assessing responsibility for the failure to adjust adequately those policies even as signs of disaster began to reach higher level decision makers. In telling this story, Teiwes focuses on key participants in the process throughout both "rational" and "utopian" phases - Mao, other top leaders, central economic bureaucracies and local party leaders. The analysis rejects both of the existing influential explanations in the field, the long dominant power politics approach focusing on alleged clashes within the top leadership, and David Bachman's recent institutional interpretation of the origins of the Great Leap. Instead, this study presents a detailed picture of an exceptionally Mao-dominated process, where no other actor challenged his position, where the boldest step any actor took was to try and influence his preferences, and where the system in effect became paralyzed while Mao kept changing signals as disaster unfolded.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Shakespearean Genealogies of Power by Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun
Cover of the book Men and Masculinities by Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun
Cover of the book The Scientific Basis of Integrative Health by Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun
Cover of the book Learning to Learn by Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun
Cover of the book Women of Asia by Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun
Cover of the book The American Experiment with Government Corporations by Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun
Cover of the book The Bishop Reformed by Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun
Cover of the book Shakespeare's God by Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun
Cover of the book Vagueness by Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun
Cover of the book Hamlet's Fictions by Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun
Cover of the book Handbook of Quality of Life in the Enlarged European Union by Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun
Cover of the book Behavioral Health by Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun
Cover of the book The English Republic 1649-1660 by Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun
Cover of the book G.W.F. Hegel by Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun
Cover of the book Stats Means Business by Frederick C Teiwes, Warren Sun
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy