The political economy of development: analysing Daqing’s contribution to the formation and technocratic evolution of China’s socialist state

Abstract

This essay critically examines Building for Oil, a comprehensive study of the Daqing Oil Field and its role in the evolution of China’s socialist state. It acknowledges the narrative’s intricate exploration of Daqing’s role in China’s early-stage industrialization, highlighting its unique approach to urbanization and worker-peasant village formation, and Daqing’s symbolic significance in reflecting Communist ideals and Mao Zedong’s revolutionary ethos. However, this essay also identifies critical gaps in the book’s narrative, notably the absence of pronounced connections between Daqing’s historical significance and contemporary China’s economic and energy infrastructure. The review argues for the necessity of incorporating discussions on the evolution of China’s economic model, energy transition and the role of technocracy and leadership in shaping these dynamics. Concluding, the review acknowledges the book’s significance while highlighting areas for further exploration to enrich the narrative, particularly in the context of China’s ongoing transformation and global impact.