Abstract This paper examines the hidden famine of 1958-1962 in China and argues that it was the result of Mao's 'great leap forward' error of trying to collectivize agriculture while attending to industrialization, bogus Soviet advice, the Communist failure to respond to what was obviously severe famine, and disaster's social imprint. The famine showed the timelessness of rural/urban networks, rumour, subversive sentiment, and government cover-up and failure. The famine's gravity was hidden from the outside world till the late 70s, though 40 million Chinese had died.
From the Paper "In 1958-1961, and the succeeding year, millions of Chinese died in a severe famine created by the Great Leap Forwards and made worse by Beijing's failure to respond. Effort was made to hide the famine from urban Chinese and the world, despite signs that all was not well in the countryside. Between the spring of 1959 and December of 1961, at least 30 million starved to death with the rate of births per annum not returning to previous levels till the mid-1960s."
Abstract The paper utilizes Amartya Sen's entitlement approach to famine as an explanation of the famine during China's Great Leap Forward. The paper argues that the primary reasons for this famine were the fundamental problems in central planning policy, together with structural inadequacies of the government system of the People's Republic of China in the 1950s.
Outline:
Introduction
The Great Leap Forward
Famine - The Theoretical Literature
Famine as a Crisis in Central Planning
The Relevance of the Sen Model
Conclusion
From the Paper "In order to understand the famine in China in the late 1950s it is first necessary to understand the political, social and economic context that gave rise to the famine in the first place. With the establishment of the People's Republic of China under a Communist government in 1949, centuries-old traditions of agricultural production and economics were been revised at all levels of Chinese society."
"After 1949 China embarked on a series of Five-Year Plans that were designed to reestablish China's industrial capabilities and increase agricultural production. The shaping of these plans led to considerable political disagreement within the leadership of the People's Republic. The architects of the first of these plans - particularly Chen Yun and Zhou Enlai - believed that material incentives would lead to gradual increases in grain and industrial production (Spence 1990, 575). However, such "gradualism" ran contrary to paramount leader Mao Zedong's "heroic" vision of revolution as "continuing struggle" (Spence 1990, 596)."
Tags: food, availability, entitlements, collectivization, agriculture, Five, Year, Plans, Sen
Abstract This paper reviews Jasper Becker's "Hungry Ghosts", a book detailing the Chinesefamine that occurred during the Great Leap Forward. The paper considers four main points made by Becker concerning Mao's responsibility for the famine: a reliance on pseudoscience, a faulty industrial policy, fear and intimidation that inhibited truth telling and failure to act once the truth was known. Each of these is considered in turn and Becker's argument regarding each is critiqued.
From the Paper "In his ground-breaking study, "Hungry Ghosts: Mao's Secret Famine", British journalist Jasper Becker depicts what is clearly one of the most tragic events in all of human history: the heretofore little known and misunderstood Chinese famine that resulted from Mao Zedong's Great Leap Forward from 1958-1962. He outlines the events which led to the massive starvation of an estimated 30 million people as Mao's government pursued an agricultural-industrial revolution based on pseudo-scientific fantasies about manufacturing and production, and backed by state-sponsored violence and intimidation designed to fabricate for official records what was not and could not be realized in actual practice."
Abstract The paper shows how Malthus believed that famine was the natural mechanism that reduced a population whenever the number of individuals in a particular area exceeded the carrying capacity of the land. The paper explains, however, that famine is a direct result of increased agricultural production. The more food we produce, the more people are born, leaving the problem of overpopulation and famine for subsequent generations.
From the Paper ""Population has this constant tendency to increase beyond the means of subsistence ... the ultimate check to population appears then to be a want of food." (Thomas Malthus, An Essay on the Principle of Population, pages 2-6.) Thomas Malthus, when he originally wrote those words way back in 1798, believed that unchecked population growth will ultimately be arrested by one of three factors: emigration, disease, and famine (Manning, 2004: 81). Of the three of those factors, it is apparent from the above quote that Malthus believed famine to be the final and ultimate solution to rapid population growth. In the two centuries since Malthus made himself famous - or infamous depending on one's perspective - the man and his ideas have been the brunt of exceeding criticism from the scientific and non-scientific communities. The reason is simple.
Abstract The paper discusses the Chinese market which is rapidly changing in light of the increasingly global market place. The paper states that the economic boom in China's urban areas is creating a new consumer culture where the consumer has more disposable income, which has affected consumer preferences within the Chinese marketplace. The paper states that the result is that a sophisticated Chinese consumer is emerging and foreign companies need to market to their sophisticated needs, while at the same time marketing to the general population's needs. The paper states that the most effective way for a company to build a strong brand name in the rapidly emerging Chinese market is to adapt itself to the rapidly changing Chinese culture. The paper concludes that despite the numerous challenges that the Chinese market presents, a company can be successful if it spends the time and resources necessary to gain an in-depth understanding of the local culture and the Chinese consumer's attitudes and thus becomes prepared to cope with the many unexpected intricacies of the Chinese marketplace.
Outline:
Introduction
Understanding Cultural Issues
Collective Society
Brand Perception
Language
Aesthetic Sense
Conclusion
From the Paper "The Chinese people carry with them a strong aesthetic sense, based on their perceptions of nature. To the Chinese consumer, in general, images of the natural form are highly attractive. For example, mountains and animals are often used in association with brand names in order to create attractive brand imagery and visual displays. On the other hand, abstract symbols are not favored as they are inconsistent with the Chinese cultural preference for natural aesthetics. Further more, the marketer needs to understand that the Chinese people enjoy complicated forms and shapes and certain colors. For example, the color red is seen as being the most cheerful color and thus can be successfully used to attract people's attention. Another example is the Chinese preference for peaceful imagery, largely a result of the influence of such religions as Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. When a company is designing a strategy for marketing their brand in the Chinese marketplace, all of these aesthetic considerations must be made. Therefore, it is important to use specific colors and imagery in order to strengthen the brand's market presence and thus increase overall company profits."
Abstract This paper explores the relationship between Chinese religious, philosophical and political ideas as they have impacted Chinese music. It discusses Buddhist, Daoist and Communist thinking as it affected the composition and performance of Chinese Music. The paper addresses archaeological finds, the influence of yin and yang and Chinese ideas of harmony and pitch.
Abstract Summary: This paper is on Chinese acupuncture. Chinese medicine in general and acupuncture in particular are based on assumptions not found in western medicine. In the West, medicine considers cause and effect, as with a virus leading to disease. Chinese acupuncture is based on forces of yin and yang.
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses what it means for the child of a Chinese family to be a first generation Chinese American. For this study, the writer uses information presented in Jade Snow Wong's book, 'Fifth Chinese Daughter'. Further, the writer examines how the assimilation process may change family values.
From the Paper "In Jade Snow Wong's memoir 'Fifth Chinese Daughter' the author tells the story of one Chinese family's adjustment to life in the United States. Told from the point of view of the family's fifth daughter, Jade Snow, the book examines not only the way in which two different cultures clash, but how two generations of the same family might be at odds over what path in life is most appropriate. Indeed, 'Fifth Chinese Daughter' is an exploration of how family values and culture are affected when the ... "
Abstract The paper discusses how recent Chinese blockbusters such as "Crouching Tiger," "Hidden Dragon" and "Hero" are examples of the popular resurgence of classical Chinese culture and mythology in post-Cultural Revolution China. The paper explains that after decades of effort by the communist authorities to wipe out all traces of traditional culture, national and international fascination with the beauty and romance of Chinese history and myth is stronger than ever. The paper relates that during the Cultural Revolution, not only were artists persecuted for creating 'reactionary' or 'traditional' art, anything of beauty was thought of as decadent and even flower gardens were destroyed."
This paper looks at the actual use of Chinese address terms in various interpersonal relations, the grammatical status of the terms of address, and the condition(s) for their occurrence in Chinese.
Abstract This paper lexamines Chinese address terms, their grammatical nature, usage, history of their use, similarities to other languages, and the social dynamics involved in their use. Through the examination of exact terms, the author demonstrates to the reader, the different ways that these terms can be used, depending upon the audience being addressed.
From the Paper "The extension of kinship terms to non-kin persons like categories 6 and 7 has the goal in Chinese communities of socializing the young into respect for their elders and care for their young. Wu says, ?extending the family relationships to outsiders thus fulfills the goal of "one family under the sky" (tianxia yijia)? (1989).Used by the speaker of these terms implies that the rules of behavior are extended to the addressee; or they might even by said to be imposed upon the addressee. If the addressee feels uncomfortable, he can decline the term of address applied to him in this particular relationship. This can happen when the addressee is genuinely modest or when he senses some degree of insincerity in the act. Usually the socializer who confers the address-form is a parent or a caretaker of the child (Hong 1991). But the same discomfort can occur when the term is inconsistent with the addressee's sense of camaraderie."
Abstract McDonald's is the largest food service retailer in the world with more than 30,000 restaurants in 121 countries. This paper explores the economic impact of McDonald's entering the Chinese market. The two main economic impacts discussed are employment and the encouraging of greater foreign trade and investment. It also briefly describes the economic collaboration between America and China, the restaurant industry in China, and the goals that McDonald's has for the Chinese Market.
From the Paper "Every new McDonald's Restaurant creates at least 100 new job opportunities depending on the size of the store. So by 2013 McDonalds would have created at least 100,000 more jobs for China's economy. In addition, McDonald's provides its employees with an opportunity to advance in the organization, McDonald's Restaurants offers comprehensive training programs to all staff levels and is committed to promoting from within. (http://www.sjross.com/mcdonalds.html) This commitment provides workers with increased pay and training. "
Abstract This is a textual exegesis of classical text in Chinese philosophy. This text is taken from the classic of Chinese philosophy known as "The Book of Changes". The paper reveals some of the reasons for the popularity of the "Way of Changes" when it first originated.
This paper discusses problems of assimilation and acculturation, which Chinese immigrant encounter when conforming to the American mainstream requirements.
Abstract This paper argues that it is wrong for Chinese immigrants to assimilate so fully that they lose pride in their own ethnicity. The author presents the background of Chinese immigration to the United States and the effects of assimilation.
From the Paper "The thesis of this paper is that it is wrong, perhaps even immoral, for Chinese immigrants to assimilate into American society to such an extent that they lose pride in their own ethnicity."
Abstract This paper researches the Chinese Constitution of 1982 and looks at whether its provisions can be enforced in the courts, or if it is merely a statement of the goals of the Communist Chinese leadership.
From the Paper "The Chinese Constitution appears on the surface to be enforceable in the courts. In theory, it requires the Chinese Communist Party to abide by the Constitution and the law. (Gittings and Whitfort) It defines ownership of land in China and allows Special Administrative Regions to be established which provides the legal authority for one country, two systems in Hong Kong and the enactment of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region."
Abstract This is an essay analyzing the influence of Buddhism from India on Chinese art. The writer discusses that this profound influence was primarily due to the cultural interchange resulting from the 'silk road' trade route, as well as other routes. The writer points out that Buddhism came to China via these trade roads, and was eventually adapted by Chinese artists. Further, the writer notes that Greek influences are also important in this artistic tradition.
From the Paper "To a certain degree, the art produced by any given culture is a product of the synthesis of all that culture has experienced and been in contact with, though a flavor or 'look' that is distinct to the given culture invariably remains. It should not come as a surprise that China was not immune to influences from other cultures, one of the most significant being Buddhism, which originated in India and spread throughout much of east Asia, including China, Japan and Korea. Buddhist iconography thus became a part of east Asian art, including Chinese art, particularly during the T'ang Dynasty."
