ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that the myth is at least a plausible one, certainly a fascinating one, and possibly one of those myths that, although it may not represent the whole truth about social change and economic growth in China, may express some vital half-truths. It examines precisely and in detail the possibilities that Chinese rural society offered for the exploitation of surplus labour, it is at least necessary to establish generally the fact that some such possibilities existed. Mao's insistence on the rapid completion of the organization of agriculture in China was, therefore, not only in opposition to important elements in his own party, but went against the current tendencies in the rest of the communist bloc. There was nothing orthodox in the economic implications of Mao's form of collectivization. The savings from the first new operation were the foundation of the Agricultural Producers’ Co-operatives further production plans, based on the development of forestry, diversified agriculture, and side-occupations.
