State Socialism and the Industrial Divide in the World-Economy: A Comparative Essay on the Rebellions in Poland and China

Abstract

This paper uses a world-economy approach to explain the historical context and background causes of revolts in the socialist states, focusing on Poland and China. During the last 20 years, low-skill mass production has been moving out of the core and into the periphery of the world-economy. Although initially successful as mass producers, the socialist states concentrated entirely on what is now an antiquated system. They must rapidly adopt flexible production or else join the periphery. Economic crisis and failed reforms led workers and intellectuals to revolt against a backward economy and structurally inept political system.