The Unknown Cultural Revolution

Book excerpt: "China's official history maintains that the radical egalitarianism of the Cultural Revolution (1966-76) led to economic disaster. And when many people think of the Cultural Revolution (GPCR) they think of destruction and violence, red guard hooliganism, economic disruption, factional wars, violent army repression, closed schools, persecution of intellectuals, and ideological rigidity attacking people, buildings, and artwork. The Unknown Cultural Revolution (based on the author's doctoral dissertation) challenges that view and shows the other side of the GPCR. Drawing on local interviews and records in rural Jimo County, Shandong Province, this study contends that the GPCR caused the overthrow of the local hierarchy, the establishment of participatory democracy and economic planning in the communes, and a large expansion of public services (including social security for the aged) implemented by the newly empowered people of this county. The author documents substantial and rapid economic development resulting from these changes as well as from the consequences of expanding education. The author's village experience shows the potential of mass education and political empowerment of the masses to facilitate equitable rural development, and requires attention as testimony of the neglected, positive side of the Cultural Revolution." --back cover.