The Legal Foundation for Changing State–Capital–Labor Relations

Chapter
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Part of the Series in Asian Labor and Welfare Policies book series (Series in Asian Labor and Welfare Policies)

Abstract

This chapter explains how the party-state has utilized the labor law system to promote the Chinese passive revolution. For example, it has helped create a rising capitalist class that was non-existent in the Maoist era, establish private property rights which are a prerequisite for the development of capitalism, legitimize the selling and buying of labor power‚ and endorse the market wage system which prioritizes wage flexibility and labor productivity. In addition, this chapter examines the party-state’s relative autonomy from capital, which is newly developed. In the reform era, it has stepped back from direct production and acted as an impartial mediator of industrial relations; but it is by no means classless. Similarly, the legal system has developed relative autonomy from the state and capital.

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Copyright information

© The Author(s) 2018

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.School of Labor and Employment RelationsPennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkUSA

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