On the Farm: China’s Rural-Urban Divide
This Case Study sheds light on China’s struggle with rural poverty. The crisis in the countryside motivated “Socialism with Chinese Characteristics,” as well as aspects of the “Great Leap Forward.” yet since the revolution led by Mao in 1949, one can see that many Chinese are still waiting for the day change will affect their daily lives. Seeing that Communism did not deliver the promised salvation, the idea that “To Be Rich is Glorious” was also meant to spread positive changes to all parts of the nation, but that too, is failing.
QUESTIONS
1. Select EIGHT articles &/or sources from the selection below & list their titles.
2. Explain what you knew about the topic/issue before you enrolled in this course. (Avoid simply responding, “I had not heard of it before, so I did not know about it.” To provide analysis, however, if that is the case, expand on why you believe you had not been exposed to this information, if you think more people need to be aware of it & why, etc.)
3. Summarize in one paragraph (addressing your eight sources collectively) their key themes/ideas.
4. Explain the THREE biggest challenges or concerns the topic/issue presents to China (its economy, environment, society, political system, international relations, etc.)
5. Explain whether or not this topic/issue is a serious problem/issue for China (or perhaps other parts of the world), or just an issue that has received a lot of attention. HINT: in most cases we are trying to highlight issues that pose challenges to the country, but some aspects of what we address may be positive! Accordingly, if it is positive, explain why!
6. Discuss why you think this topic/issue is important or significant to study.
7. List the THREE most important/impressive/surprising facts you uncovered in your readings.
8. What ONE question has still not been answered, or not answered completely enough, for you regarding this subject
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS!
I. The continuing expansion of drug cartel activities, influence, violence, and reach over the past few years has meant a dramatic increase in the news coverage this issue receives – to the point one person cannot keep up with it all! Accordingly, students who want more up-to-date information on the subject, as well as the chance to work with information they find on their own, can search for the required number of articles using the following:
RECOMMENDED ONLINE SOURCES
Los Angeles Times: Asia
Business Week: Asia Economy News
The Wall Street Journal: Asia Edition
CNN.com- International
CNN Money: The Rise of China
BBC World News: Asia
The Telegraph: China News
New York Times: Asia & the Pacific
Xinhua China News (English Edition)
ChinaDaily: US Edition
Yahoo! News – China
China: Behind the Wall (NBC News)
Google.com/Yahoo.com for searches: China rural population, China rural crisis, urbanization of China, rural migration, migrant workers
II. If hyperlinks don’t work: 1) change your browser settings, 2) copy & paste article titles into the search engine of your choice, 3) select the required number of themed-articles on your own via basic Internet research = dead links cannot be used as an excuse for incomplete or late work
CASE MATERIAL: READINGS
Life in Rural China (NPR Series)
Documentary: The Life of Rural Chinese Children (Video Segments)
Inequality in China: Rural Poverty Persists as Urban Wealth Balloons
Leader’s Visit Lifts a Village, Yet Lays Bare China’s Woes
China Raises Rural Povety Line
The Real China: Urban Wealth & Rural Poverty
Modern Mask Hides Conditions in Rural China
Rural Poverty in China: Problems & Solutions (PDF)
World Bank: Development Topics – Rural China
A PC for Peasant Farmers? China Targets Digital Divide
Rural & Urban China, Worlds Apart
Rich China, Poor Peasants
Two Chinese Villages, Two Views of Rural Poverty
China’s Rural Poverty Line Far Below International Standard
Dynamics of Rural Poverty in China
China’s Rural Millions Left Behind
More and More, Rural China Is Going to the Polls
In Rural China, It’s a Family Affair
Chinese Hunger for Sons Fuels Boys’ Abductions
MIGRANT WORKERS
Millions of Chinese Migrants Denied Education for their Children
Millions of China Migrants Young & Restless Online
Rural Labour Migration in China: A Challenge for Policies (PDF)
China Maintains Discriminatory Measures Against Rural Migrants
China’s Rural Migrants Prevented from Receiving Full Benefits of Urbanization
China’s Urban Migrants Hold Key to Domestic Demand
China’s Migrants: Stuck in the Middle
Plight of China’s Migrant Workers
Can China Keep Its Workers Happy?
Migrant Workers in China
China at the Crossroads (VIDEO)
Rising Unemployment Hits Migrants Workers (VIDEO)
Times Tough for Children Left Behind by Migrant Workers (VIDEO)
Tough New Year for China’s Migrant Workers
New Employment Patterns Begin to Emerge for China’s Migrant Workers
How Rural Villages Have Gained from China’s Great Migration
Migrants suffering for China Boom
China Suffering Worst Drought Since 1951
Poverty Down, Inequality Up
Farmland Fenced off as Being Threatened by Construction
Land Loss & Erosion in China
China to Plough Extra 20% into Agricultural Production
China’s One-Child Policy
“Green” Revolution Under Way in Rural China
Wave of Suicides Sweeps Graduating Class