What was the role of communes in Mao’s China?

Communes in Mao's China were collective farming communities that played a central role in agricultural production and social organisation.

In 1958, Mao Zedong, the leader of the People's Republic of China, launched the Great Leap Forward, a campaign aimed at rapidly transforming China from an agrarian economy into a socialist society through rapid industrialisation and collectivisation. As part of this campaign, Mao introduced the commune system. Communes were essentially large agricultural communities where land and resources were shared. They were designed to increase agricultural productivity and free up labour for industrial work.

Communes were more than just farming communities. They were also social units, encompassing all aspects of life. Each commune was made up of several smaller units called brigades and teams, and they included housing, schools, healthcare facilities, and even cultural and entertainment centres. This was part of Mao's vision of a socialist society where all aspects of life were collective and communal.

The role of communes in Mao's China was multifaceted. On one hand, they were intended to increase agricultural productivity by pooling resources and labour. The idea was that by working together, farmers could produce more than they could individually. On the other hand, communes were also intended to break down traditional social structures and create a new, socialist society. By living and working together in communes, people were supposed to develop a collective consciousness and a sense of solidarity.

However, the reality of life in the communes often fell short of Mao's vision. While there were some successes, the commune system also led to widespread famine and hardship. The Great Leap Forward, and the commune system that was a central part of it, is now widely seen as a failure. Despite this, the commune system had a profound impact on Chinese society and its legacy can still be seen today.