The political economy of the Chinese coal industry : black gold and blood-stained coal / Tim Wright.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: China's political economy and the coal industry -- China's coal industry: growth and development over the long term -- Rent seeking and the political economy of coal prices -- The financial performance of coal enterprises -- The rural coal mines and their owners: social costs and benefits -- The central state and the rural mines -- Low wages and poor job security? -- Coal mine safety: the record -- Coal mine safety: political determinants -- Conclusion: the coal mining industry and the Chinese state.

Coal mining is one of China{u2019}s largest industries, and provides an excellent case study through which to consider the broader issues of China{u2019}s transition from socialism to capitalism, focussing on the shift to a market economy, the rise of rural industry and the situation of China{u2019}s working class. Coal was one of the pillars of the planned economy but, the author argues, its shift to market-based operations has been protracted and difficult, particularly in moving from the artificially low prices of the planned economy to market prescribed prices - a change that had a major impact on the industry{u2019}s financial performance. The book goes on to considers the growth of small rural coal mines as part of the Township and Village Enterprises (TVEs) programme; these small mines have brought prosperity to areas where small manufacturing enterprises are not competitive, but at the same time have been the cause of many social and environmental problems. It also examines the situation of coal miners - arguably one the most vulnerable segments of the Chinese working class - under socialism and under capitalism, paying particular attention to the issue of work safety and coal mine disasters. The book provides a comprehensive and coherent treatment of these issues from the establishment of the People{u2019}s Republic up to 2010.