Knowledge Production in Mao-Era China: Learning from the Masses

This book explores how science and technology were transformed in Mao-era China, combining Western and local knowledge to achieve modernization. Case studies show how social groups were involved in knowledge production and how scientific thinking continued across the historical divide of 1949 and 1978.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate evolution of the public discourse surrounding science and technology in Mao-era China. Drawing upon a wealth of primary sources, including science dissemination materials, technical handbooks, and mass media products from the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution periods, it meticulously traces the emergence of a pragmatic approach to knowledge within society. In pursuit of rapid modernization with limited financial, human, and material resources, the party-state embraced a diverse range of knowledge from both Western and local sources, encompassing modern and traditional practices in agricultural mechanization, steel production, and Chinese veterinary medicine. Through detailed case studies, the book showcases the involvement of various social groups in scientific knowledge production and highlights the intricate interplay between science, politics, and culture during this period. This insightful analysis reveals and elucidates the enduring continuity of scientific thinking across the historical divide of 1949 and 1978, a perspective that has previously been underestimated. By examining the complex dynamics of knowledge production during the Mao era, this book provides valuable insights into the historical and societal contexts that shaped scientific development in China.

Weight: 295g
Dimension: 230 x 153 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781498584630