Building for Oil: Daqing and the Formation of the Chinese Socialist State

Building for Oil is a historical account of the development of the oil town of Daqing in northeastern China during the formative years of the Peoples Republic, tracing the roots and maturation of the Chinese socialist state and its early industrialization and modernization policies. It illuminates the politics between party leaders and elite ministerial cadres and examines the diverse interests, conflicts, tensions, functions, and dysfunctions of state institutions and individuals.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 268 pages
Publication date: 10 August 2021
Publisher: Harvard University, Asia Center

Here is the rephrased text:

Building for Oil: A Historical Account of the Development of Daqing, Northeastern China
The book delves into the historical development of the oil town of Daqing in northeastern China during the formative years of the People's Republic. It chronicles Daqing's rise and fall as a national model city, highlighting its significance as a major hub for oil production. The Daqing oil field, once the most profitable state-owned enterprise and the primary source of state revenue for nearly three decades, played a pivotal role in China's economic growth during the 1950s and early 1980s.

The book explores the roots and maturation of the Chinese socialist state, tracing its early industrialization and modernization policies during a period of unprecedented economic expansion. It sheds light on the politics between party leaders and elite ministerial cadres, examining the diverse interests, conflicts, tensions, functions, and dysfunctions of state institutions and individuals.

Through detailed and often personal descriptions of the planning and building process in Daqing, the book provides a vivid portrayal of the physical transformation of the town. It illuminates the complex interplay between party leaders, elite officials, and ordinary workers, revealing their beliefs, frustrations, and aspirations for a better life.

Building for Oil also documents the rise of the "Petroleum Group" in the central government, highlighting the power and influence of the oil industry in shaping China's political and economic landscape. At the same time, it sheds light on the everyday struggles and experiences of the working men and women who inhabited China's industrializing landscape. Their stories, filled with determination, resilience, and hope, offer a human dimension to the broader narrative.

In conclusion, Building for Oil provides a comprehensive and insightful account of the development of Daqing and its role in China's economic and political history. It offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of state institutions, the interests of different groups, and the experiences of ordinary people during a period of rapid change.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 154 x 229 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674260221