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Urban Rationing in Communist China1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 February 2009

Ralph W. Huenemann
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Extract

From an economic point of view, a ration coupon can serve at least three purposes: it can control the movement of people from one place to another, thereby easing employment, housing and transportation problems; it can distribute basic necessities, such as foodstuffs, more evenly in times of scarcity; and it can shift purchasing power away from certain goods, thus helping to maintain stable prices on these goods during periods of inflationary pressure. However, while each of these goals can be analysed in a narrowly economic framework, it is important to consider their political consequences as well. Inflation, for example, may cause political discontent even before it brings about economic dislocation. Any consideration of Peking's rationing policies, therefore, must touch on both the economic and non-economic aspects of the problem.

Type
Research Article
Information
The China Quarterly , Volume 26 , June 1966 , pp. 44 - 57
Copyright
Copyright © The China Quarterly 1966

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References

2 Ta-chung, Liu and Kung-chia, YenThe Economy of the Chinese Mainland: National Income and Economic Development 1933–1959 (Santa Monica: The RAND Corporation, 1963), Vol. 1, p. 110Google Scholar .

3 In 1962 the problem of bloated payrolls had still not been solved to the régime's satisfaction. See Kan-ch-eng, Hsiang, “Strict Control and Rational Use of Wage Funds,” Lao-lung (Labor), No. 14, 08 18, 1962Google Scholar , in Selections from China Mainland Magazines (SCMM) (Hong Kong: U.S. Consulate-General), No. 334.

4 The relevant concept is really marginal productivity, and it is unlikely that this was increasing very much. However, the Chinese tended to base their wage policy on average productivity. See Perkins, Dwight H., “Price Stability and Development in Mainland China (1951–1963),” The Journal of Political Economy, Vol. LXXII (08 1964), pp. 365–366Google Scholar .

5 Tse-tung, Mao, “On the Correct Handling of Contradictions among the People,” in Selected Readings from the Writings of Mao Tse-tung (Peking: Jen-min Ch'u-pan She, 1964), Vol. 1, p. 485Google Scholar .

6 Current Background (CB) (Hong Kong: U.S. Consulate-General), No. 405.

7 Perkins, , op. cit., p. 363Google Scholar . Corroborative data appear in Liu, and Yeh, , op. cit., Vol. 1, p. 380Google Scholar .

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20 “Concerning the Continued Implementation of the Directive Discouraging the Blind Influx of Peasants into the Cities,” Fa-ling Hui-pien, Vol. VII, pp. 147–148.

21 Based on an unpublished manuscript by Professor Ezra Vogel of Harvard University.

22 For a description of the American experience, see Thompson, Victor A., The Regulatory Process in OP A Rationing (New York: King's Crown Press, 1950)Google Scholar . For England, see Impresario, , The Market Square: The Story of the Food Ration Book, 1940–1944, (London: 1944)Google Scholar .

23 The text is given in Survey of the China Mainland Press (SCMP) (Hong Kong: U.S. Consulate-General), No. 45.

24 Fa-ling Hui-pien, Vol. VI, pp. 129–131.

25 Ibid. p. 129.

26 Vogel, op. cit.

27 Fa-ling Hui-pien, Vol. VII, p. 62.

28 CB. No. 398.

29 Thompson, , op. cit., p. 48Google Scholar .

30 Fa-kuei Hui-pien, Vol. 1, pp. 243–244.

31 Fa-kuei Hui-pien, Vol. 1, pp. 171–175.

32 “Important Measures to Improve the Work of Basic-Level State Power in the Cities,” People's Daily, 01 2, 1955, in CB, No. 310Google Scholar .

33 Ibid.

34 Fa-kuei Hui-pien, Vol. II, p. 567–568.

35 Vogel, op. cit.

36 Fa-kut Hui-pien, Vol. II, pp. 567–568.

37 “A Review of Urban Food Rationing and Some Suggestions for Improvement of the System,” Liang-shih (Grain), No. 8 (08 25, 1957)Google Scholar , in ECMM, No. 110.

38 “Let Us Improve the Work of Grain Supply in the Towns,” Liang-shih Kung-tso (Grain Work), No. 3 (03 14, 1956)Google Scholar , in ECMM, No. 37.

39 Fa-kuei Hui-pien, Vol. II, p. 567.

40 ECMM, No. 37.

41 Vogel, op. cit.

42 Kojima, op. cit., p. 81.

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44 Fa-kuet Hui-pien, Vol. V, p. 187.

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46 Fa-kuei Hui-pien, Vol. II, p. 567.

47 Vogel, op. cit.

48 Fa-ling Hui-pien, Vol. VII, p. 63.

49 SCMP, No. 759, p. 5.

50 Fa-ling Hui-pien, Vol. VI, p. 130.

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58 See, for example, CB, No. 511, p. 44.

59 Fa-kuel Hui-pien, Vol. VI, pp. 229–231.