Chinese work points record book rural commune economy agriculture 1972 China 中国

Description: This is a book used to record “work points” at (I assume) a commune or other work unit in the People's Republic of China. It is believed to date from 1972, during the Cultural Revolution. I am not certain where the work unit was based, but it might be from Hebei or elsewhere in North China. The book appears to have details of work points recorded for 43 people on separate pages, for each month of a year. I think some of the columns may also be breaking down effort against particular tasks, but I am not certain. There are a further 57 blank pages not yet filled in. The work point system operated in rural China from the late 1950s until the late 1970s, and was based on the socialist principle of “from each according to their abilities, and to each according to their work”. Adult members were credited with work points based on how much labour they had provided at various tasks. At the end of the year, the collective deducted taxes and sales to the state, and the co-operative retained seed for the next year as well as some investment and welfare funds. The collective then distributed to the households the remainder of the harvest and some of the money received from sales to the state. The distribution was based partly on work points accrued by the adult members of a household, and partly at a standard rate by age and sex. The lot also contains four other loose sheets of very thin paper with various printed and handwritten text. The large one appears to be a table recording work points for 26 people over three separate months – I am not sure if this correlates to the main book in any way. The work book is in fair condition, with some wear, fading and minor loss to the covers ; some marks inside ; and rusty staples. There is some red printed text on the cover, which given the date are probably political slogans. The signature below the slogans on the right side of the cover has been defaced, suggesting this might have been Lin Biao, once Chairman Mao's close political ally, who become “persona non grata” after his death in an aircraft accident in September 1971. All in all, a fascinating and probably uncommon piece of Chinese economic, social and political ephemera from a turbulent time in the country's history. Please see some other Chinese items, currently on sale. Combined shipping for multiple purchases. Returns accepted, buyer pays return postage. I prefer to give my seller feedback after the successful completion of the whole transaction, once delivery is successful and the buyer is satisfied. If there any problems, please let me know as soon as possible.

Price: 50 GBP

Location: Edinburgh, Midlothian

End Time: 2024-11-22T11:59:58.000Z

Shipping Cost: 11.54 GBP