Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-wg55d Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-04T21:06:18.509Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Work incentive Policy in Communist China*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 February 2009

Charles Hoffmann
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

In their concerted and ardent efforts to industrialise and develop the economy rapidly, the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party have given work incentives an important role—a role which operates narrowly within the limits set by economic necessity and ideology. The pendulum has swung from an emphasis on material incentives (First Five-Year Plan, 1953–57) to a stress on non-material incentives (1957–60) and back again (1960 on). These major changes in incentive policy have reflected the significant turns in the grand socio-economic strategy of the Chinese Communist Party.

Type
Research Article
Information
The China Quarterly , Volume 17 , March 1964 , pp. 92 - 110
Copyright
Copyright © The China Quarterly 1964

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 See Charles, Hoffmann, “The Basis of Communist China's Incentive Policy,” Asian Survey, III, No. 5 (May 1963), pp. 245–257, for a discussion of the ideological and economic framework of incentive policy.Google Scholar

2 First Five-Year Plan … 1953–1957(Peking: Foreign Languages Press, 1956), pp. 3, 192–193.Google Scholar

3 Ibid., p. 194.

4 See Charles, Hoffmann, “Industrial Work-Incentives in Communist China,” Current Scene, II, No. 13 (05 1, 1963), for a review of incentives in industry.Google Scholar

5 See Peter, Schran, The Structure of Income in Communist China (Ph.D. dissertation) (Berkeley: University of California, 1961), passim.Google Scholar

6 NCNA, Daily News Report 1723, 08 30, 1954, pp. 329–330Google Scholar, and Labour Laws and Regulations of the People's Republic of China(Peking: Foreign Languages Press, 1956), pp. 54–64.Google ScholarPubMed

7 NCNA, 09 1, 1955, in Survey of China Mainland Press (SCMP) (Hong Kong: U.S. Consulate-General), No. 1122, pp. 10–11Google Scholar. The author has checked original Chinese sources in certain instances; for convenience and uniformity, however, he cites both original and translation. See also Leo, Orleans, Professional Manpower and Education in Communist China(Washington: National Science Foundation, 1961), pp. 122–123.Google Scholar

8 Tu, Shao-poand Wang, I-cheng, “Why the Changeover from Supply System to Wage System,” Shih-shih Shou-ts'e (Current Events), No. 18, 09 25, 1955Google Scholar, in Extracts from China Mainland Magazines(ECMM) (Hong Kong: U.S. Consulate-General), No. 19Google Scholar; Lavallée, L., Noirot, P.and Dominique, V., Economie de la Chine Socialiste(Geneva: Librairie Rousseau, 1957), pp. 415–416Google Scholar; and Chao, Kuo-chün, Economic Planning and Organization in Mainland China(Cambridge: Harvard Un., 1960), II, 71.Google Scholar

9 Tu Shao-po, op. cit.Google Scholar

10 Ibid. and Ma, Wen-jui, “Report to the Third Session of the First National People's Congress …,” in Current Background(CB) (Hong Kong: U.S. Consulate-General), No. 405.Google Scholar

11 Tso, Chun-t'ai, “Several Questions Concerning Reform of the Wage System,” Cheng-chih Hsueh-hsi (Political Study), No. 6, 1956, in ECMM, No. 47Google Scholar; Schran, op. cit., pp. 249–252; Ma, Wen-jui, op. cit.; and People's Daily editorial, 05 3, 1956, in SCMP, No. 1287.Google Scholar

12 For example the ratio of 1 to 2·87 for metallurgical workers was raised to 3·2. See Ma Wen-jui, op. cit.Google Scholar

13 Schran, op. cit., pp. 285–286;Google ScholarChin, Li, “Certain Problems Concerning Betterment of the Current Wage Grading System.” Labor (Lao-tung), No. 3, 1956Google Scholar, in ECMM, No. 35; and Ta-Kung Pao, editorial, 05 22, 1956, in SCMP, No. 1314.Google ScholarPubMed

14 Ma Wen-jui, op. cit.Google Scholar

15 July 6, 1956, in SCMP, No. 1331. See Sun, Shang-ch'ing, “On the Nature and Destiny of our Current Piece-rate Wage System,” Ching-chi Yen-chiu (Economic Research), No. 4, 1959, in ECMM, No. 180.Google Scholar

16 It was estimated that the former cost 7 per cent. of average wages; the latter 2–4 per cent. See Ma Wen-jui, loc. cit.Google Scholar

17 People's Daily, editorial, 07 6, 1956, in SCMP, No. 1331.Google ScholarPubMed

18 Existence of strikes in 1956 suggests that workers may have been reacting to unfavourable wages. See Mao, Tse-tung, On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People(Peking: FLP, 1960), p. 59.Google Scholar

19 New China Advances to Socialism(Peking: FLP, 1956), pp. 86–87. Emphasis added.Google Scholar

20 Ma Wen-jui, loc. cit.and Tso Chun-t'ai, loc. cit.Google Scholar

21 Ma, Wen-jui, loc. cit.and Ta Kung Pao (Tientsin), 05 22, 1956, loc. cit.Google Scholar

22 See Government of India, Report of the Indian Delegation to China on Agricultural Planning and Techniques(New Delhi: 1956), p. 117. The report stressed what was the official Chinese view at the time, that “a cooperative cannot function efficiently without a piece-work system.”Google Scholar

23 See First Five Year Plan …, pp. 119–120Google Scholarand Decisions on Agricultural Co-operation(Peking: FLP, 1956), pp. 14–15. Capitalistic forms existed even after the collective emerged in the form of private plots tilled for the peasant's own use. These plots were limited to 5 per cent. of the village's land holdings.Google Scholar

24 For one method of payment for use of animals, see Socialist Upsurge in China's Countryside(Peking: FLP, 1957), pp. 98–100Google Scholar. See also Model Regulations for an Agricultural Producers' Co-operative(Peking: FLP, 1956), pp. 14–15.Google Scholar

25 See Robert, Carin, China's Land Problem Series: Agricultural Cooperativization Movement(Hong Kong: 1960), II, pp. 421–23, 500–502 and Socialist Upsurge …, p. 88.Google Scholar

26 Carin, op. cit., pp. 23, 239–245, 259.Google Scholar

27 Decisions on Agricultural Co-operation, pp. 23–24Google Scholar; Model Regulations …, pp. 33–39Google Scholar; and Model Regulations for Advanced Agricultural Producers' Co-operatives(Peking: FLP, 1956), pp. 18–22.Google Scholar

28 See Teng, Tzu-hui'sreport in New China Advances to Socialism, pp. 130–131and Schran, op. cit., p. 246.Google Scholar

29 Op. cit., p. 38.Google Scholar

30 See Chao Kuo-chün, op. cit., II, 108–109.Google Scholar

31 First Five Year Plan…, pp. 172, 195.Google ScholarPubMed

32 Chen, Po-wei, “Labour Emulations Supply Huge Power …,” Political Study, No. 5, 1956Google Scholar, in ECMM, No. 47. For implementation of such techniques see Socialist Upsurge …, pp. 300, 324, 354–355. Statistics are from Ten Great Years(Peking: FLP, 1960), p. 186.Google ScholarPubMed

33 Editorial in SCMP, No. 1667. See “Report on the Work of the Central Committee …,” Second Session of the Eighth National Congress of the Communist Party of China(Peking: FLP, 1958), pp. 20–21, 24–25, 39–40, 62.Google Scholar

34 The reaction against material incentives included the notion that social welfare and insurance ought to be reduced. For such a view, see Wei, Li, “The System of Wage Allowances Should be Radically Reformed,” Chi-hua Ching-chi (Planned Economy), No. 5, 1958, in ECMM, No. 135.Google Scholar

35 See Labour, No. 10, 1958, pp. 28–29Google ScholarPubMed, in U.S. Joint Publications Research Service (JPRS), No. 878; No. 3; 1958, in JPRS, No. 760; and No. 9, 1958, pp. 11–13, in JPRS, No. 760. See also Liu, Ch'eng-juiet al, “Contradiction in the Piece-Wage System …,” Chiao-hsüeh yü Yen-chiu (Teaching and Research), No. 9, 1958, in ECMM, No. 153.Google Scholar

36 Liu Ch'eng-jui et al., loc. cit., and Sun Shang-ch'ing, loc. cit.See also “A Study of the System of Piece-work …,” Labour, No. 23, 1959, pp. 24–27Google Scholar, in JPRS, No. 2640, and People's Daily, 09 25, 1958, in SCMP, No. 1875.Google ScholarPubMed

37 Lui Ch'eng-jui et al., loc. cit., p. 17, and Chao Te-huan et al., “How Do We Rouse the Masses to Cancel the Piece Wage System?” Kung-jen Jih-pao (Workers' Daily), 08 29, 1958, in SCMP, No. 1862.Google Scholar

38 Ten Great Years, p. 186.Google ScholarPubMed

39 See, e.g., “100 per cent. Quota, 120 per cent. Measures, 240 per cent. Enthusiasm,” Red Flag, No. 3, 1959, pp. 17–19Google Scholar, in JPRS, No. 648D, and Li, Po, “Keen Competition and Close Co-operation,” Red Flag, No. 8, 1958, pp. 39–41, in JPRS, No. 9181.Google Scholar

40 See Ronald, Hsia, “Labour Incentives in China,” Far Eastern Economic Review, 01 7, 1960, pp. 10–11.Google Scholar

41 “Resolution … on the Establishment of People's Communes …,” op. cit., pp. 6, 8. Emphasis added.Google Scholar

42 “Resolution on Some Questions Concerning the People's Communes,” Sixth Plenary Session of the Eighth Central Committee(Peking: FLP, 1958), pp. 32, 34, 44–45.Google Scholar

43 For analysis of the implications of the supply-wages system and its levelling effect, see Schran, op. cit., p. 211 et seq., and especially Table 4.49, p. 224.Google Scholar

44 See “The Ratio of Three to Seven,” Nan-fang Daily, 11 12, 1960, in SCMP, No. 2405Google ScholarPubMed, and Wu, Chih-pu, “Consolidation and Development of People's Communes,” Red Flag, No. 1, 1960, cited in Carin, op. cit. IV, 740.Google Scholar

45 For evidence of non-material incentive indoctrination, see Li, Po, op. cit.; “100 per cent. Quota, 120 per cent. Measures, 240 per cent. Enthusiasm,” op. cit.; “Motivation in the Great Leap Forward,” Political Study, No. 1, 1959, pp. 1–4, in JPRS, No. 1512Google Scholar; and Shu, T'ung, “Expand the Mass Line and Exalt Realistic Spirit,” Red Flag, No. 3, 1959, in JPRS, No. 648D.Google Scholar

46 Peking Review, No. 4, 1961, pp. 5–7.Google ScholarPubMed

47 Wang, Yu-ch'anget al., “Attend to the Livelihood of Workers Report No. 1 …” People's Daily, 05 19, 1961, in SCMP, No. 2507.Google Scholar

48 See Ch'en, Han-ch'uan, “Strengthening of the Piece-Work System,” Ta Kung Pao, 08 23, 1961, in JPRS, No. 10720.Google Scholar

49 Lin, Fang, “A Discussion on the Forms of Wages,” People's Daily, 10 28, 1961, in JPRS, No. 11969Google Scholar, and “Concerning the Question of Socialist Distribution …,” Ta Kung Pao, 12 15, 1961, in SCMP, No. 2656.Google Scholar

50 “The Nature of Private Plots ….” Ta Kung Pao, 03 15, 1961, in SCMP, No. 2478, April 18, 1961.Google Scholar

51 People's Daily, editorial, 11 20, 1960. SCMP, No. 2388, December 1, 1960.Google ScholarPubMed

52 “Relation between Collective Production and Domestic Sideline Occupations Well-handled …,” Nan-fang Daily(11 14, 1960, in SCMP, No.2405, 12 28, 1960, pp. 11–13.Google Scholar

53 See Wang, Shih-hsin, “… Pay Wages in Advance Every Month,” People's Daily, 08 8, 1960, in SCMP, No. 2322.Google Scholar

54 See “Adjust Reward for Supplementary Production Labour,” People's Daily, 05 5, 1961, in JPRS, No. 9669.Google Scholar

55 See Chu, Tai-hsien, “Proper Relationship Between Group Production and Family Side-line Enterprises,” Ta Kung Pao, 06 25, 1961, in JPRS, No. 10563.Google Scholar