To What Extent Was Mao's Agricultural Policies Driven by Ideological Thinking

To what extent was Mao’s agricultural policies driven by ideological thinking?

It could be argued that Mao’s agricultural policies were mainly driven by ideological thinking. Mao’s ideologies were mainly based upon Marxism and the idea of communism. This consists of removing classes, so that all are equal, where property is owned by the community, with each person contributing and receiving according to their abilities and needs. Many of Mao’s policies contained Marxist and communist factor, such as the Agrarian Land Reform, Mutual Aid Teams (MATs) and Agricultural Producers’ Cooperatives (APCs). It could be argued that Mao’s policies became progressively more ideologically driven, with some of his earlier policies being more pragmatic.

It could be argued that many of Mao’s agricultural policies were largely driven by ideology. This can be seen in the in the initial Agrarian Land Reform in 1950, where land was taken from the land owners and re-distributed to the peasants with the help of the CCP and PLA. The peasants were relieved of rent payments equivalent to 35 billion kilograms of grain per year. Landlords were humiliated at “speak bitterness” meetings, and many were killed. By 1951, one year after the reform was introduced, 10 million landowners had lost their land and 47 million hectares of land was redistributed. By the spring of 1953, with the exception of Taiwan and the ethnic minority regions of Xinjiang and Tibet, land reform was basically complete, and the peasants had achieved genuine liberation. This can be seen as Marxist, as it focuses on removing the upper classes, so that all are equal and own the same amount of land. It was also seen as the first step of industrialisation, which is also an important step of Marxism as it focusses on the working class rising up and taking control as it should be a “dictatorship of the proletariat.” Mao’s next important agricultural policy was MATs. These were groups of peasants, usually consisting of ten or less households, who would pool labour, equipment and livestock, but would be allowed to keep their land. This policy was mainly pushed between the years 1951-1953. By 1952 around 40% of peasant households belonged to an MAT. They were optional, but you would be denied loans from banks if you did not belong to one. It could be argued that this was also ideologically driven as seen by its Marxist principles. It promotes cooperation within the community so that everyone benefits. This is done by making those within a MAT help each other when they require help, by either offering tools or labour to complete the required task. The principle of contributing and receiving according to your abilities and needs. It promotes the removal of classes, so that all are equal and  no one takes advantage of one another, by people within an MAT only taking what they need. Mao’s next agricultural policy was arguably the most ideologically driven amongst the three. This next agricultural policy was APCs. This was similar to MATs except on a much larger scale, usually consisting of 40 to 50 families, although you would have to give up your land. By 1954 there were around 50,000 of these communes. Profits that peasants received were based on work points, and a large proportion of the crop produced would be taken by the government and given to the workers in the urban areas. This is a very Marxist ideal as it removes the concept of property and promotes community production. It supports the proletariat and pushes industrialisation which is the driving force behind communism. It could be argued that his policies became progressively more ideologically driven. This could be so that he gained the support of the people with his initial policies, so that he could consolidate his power, allowing him to enforce his more ideological policies.

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