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Disinterring the Transition Debate in Maoist China

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  • Sayonee Majumdar

Abstract

This article tries to extricate the rationale behind China’s transition debate in the Maoist era (1949–1978). Using a re-casted theory of historical materialism (HM) to posit the shared ground of engagement of Chinese Marxists, I unpack the emergence of two competing development strategies for socialist transition, one which foregrounds forces of production (FOP) as the prime mover of this transition and the other class struggle to change relations of production (ROP) as the determining factor. I conclude by briefly discussing the shift from Mao Tse-tung to Deng Xiaoping’s era as a resolution of the development strategy in favour of the development of FOP as the key to China’s socialist transition.

Suggested Citation

  • Sayonee Majumdar, 2018. "Disinterring the Transition Debate in Maoist China," Arthaniti: Journal of Economic Theory and Practice, , vol. 17(1), pages 83-111, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:artjou:v:17:y:2018:i:1:p:83-111
    DOI: 10.1177/0976747918776387
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Socialist transition; political economy; collectives; class struggle; historical materialism; JEL: B14; O20; P26; P32;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B14 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Socialist; Marxist
    • O20 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - General
    • P26 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Property Rights
    • P32 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - Collectives; Communes; Agricultural Institutions

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