New Rural Theory

Author: Zeng Yesong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: China has been agriculture-based for thousands of years; the new China also takes agriculture as its foundation; during the reform and opening-up, farmers were the heroes and rural areas were the pioneers. The state has always emphasized the "three rural issues" (agriculture, rural areas, and farmers), but these issues have become increasingly severe. Faced with the "three rural issues" that have persisted for thousands of years, accumulated over decades, and emerged in the process of development, this book breaks away from the traditional approach of discussing agriculture solely in terms of agriculture. With a pragmatic attitude, innovative theory, and strategic vision, it examines China's history, especially during the transition period, as well as the theoretical research and practical experience since the rural reforms. It provides an in-depth analysis of the new changes, new connotations, new characteristics, and new goals of the "three rural issues" in the new era.
Building on a reflection of the traditional agrarianism that emphasized prioritizing agriculture and heavy taxation for enriching the state and strengthening the military, the book strongly advocates for a new agrarianism that prioritizes agriculture and benefits, aiming to enrich the people and strengthen the nation. It highlights the fundamental differences between the modern view of agriculture and the traditional one.
It clearly proposes the idea of enabling farmers to "have benefits, have rights, and have education," achieving the professionalization and modernization of farmers. It suggests adjusting policy direction and development strategies based on the concept of urban-rural coordination, innovating rural economic and social systems, transforming the urban-rural dual structure, and advancing rural industrialization, urbanization, and urban-rural integration. It also puts forward a set of foundational proposals for deepening reforms. Additionally, it proposes new approaches to compensate for, equip, and reorganize agriculture, advancing agricultural modernization, internationalization, and achieving historic leaps.
Centered around the theme of "agriculture," this book places the issue of farmers in the primary position and focuses on researching new theories and policies to address the "three rural issues" in the process of achieving a moderately prosperous society and modernization. It is a theoretical work with foresight, systematically and comprehensively discussing the development strategies for farmers, rural areas, and agriculture.