Presents an analysis of the political processes involved in China's wage policy. Akio Takahara illuminates the political conflicts and interests among national policy makers, local authorities, grassroots units and various socio-economic groups, and identifies constraints on wage reform.

Inhalt
The politics of wages in socialist development - an introduction; introduction of the Soviet-style wage system, 1948-76; 1956 wage reform; development of the "rational low wage system" 1957-76; a period of transition 1977-78 - wage adjustment and the revival of piece-rates and bonuses; 1979-80 wage adjustment and enterprise profit retention policy 1979-spring 1981; economic responsibility systems in industry, spring 1981-November 1982; tax for profit, floating wages and the abolition of bonus ceilings November 1982-85; the new wage reform - the structural wage system, and the so-called "set reform of wages" late 1984-85.