Inequality and socialism in rural China: A conceptual note

Abstract

Given the serious failure to conceptualize inequality in relation to the developing mode of production in China and within socialist societies generally, more analytical attention needs to be focused on the sources, nature, significance and implications of equality and inequality at both theoretical and policy-oriented levels. Here a conceptual scheme which distinguishes between socialist inequalities based upon unequal human capabilities, and capitalist inequalities based on unequal ownership of or access to the means of production is applied to an examination of past and present inequalities in rural China, both those between villages and regions and those within collectives. Finally, suggestions are put forward for the reduction of these inequalities.

Publisher

Elsevier

Publication Date

1-1-1985

Publication Title

World Development

Department

East Asian Studies

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0305-750X(85)90069-5

Language

English

Format

text

Link to Full Text

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