ABSTRACT
The central state proved to be relatively autonomous in its decisions to introduce or abort marketizing reforms in the cotton industry. But the way these policies are implemented is influenced by the particular state-economy relations prevalent at the local level. We have seen that Xiajin county’s developmental approach to managing the local economy and its pro-private business orientation had distinct effects on cotton policy implementation. This argument will be reexamined here by contrasting Xiajin’s experience with that of Tianmen. As will be recalled from the general survey in Chapter 4, the two counties share a number of similarities, most importantly with regard to their economies, which render them comparable. However, in one respect the two study locales differ significantly. This is the orientation of the respective local state toward the economy. We will see how the very different course of cotton industry development in Tianmen is shaped by this factor. The final section of this chapter will then take up the general question of success or failure of cotton policy implementation, or in other words the central state’s capacity at policy implementation.
