In the 1990s, the Chinese government launched an unprecedented reform of state enterprises, putting tens of millions of people out of work. This empirically rich study calls on comprehensive surveys and interviews, combining quantitative data with qualitative in its examination of the variation in workers' collective action. Cai investigates the difference in interests of and options available to workers that reduce their solidarity, as well as the obstacles that prevent their coordination. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, this book explores the Chinese Government 's policies and how their feedback shaped workers incentives and capacity of action.

Contents Figures and Tables Acknowledgements Abbreviations 1. Introduction 2. The Ending of a Socialist Contract and Retrenchment 3. Retrenchment and Laid-Off Workers' Responses 4. Fragmentation and Collective Action 5. Management and Worker Silence 6. Government and the Prevention of Worker Resistance 7. Collective Action of Chinese Laid-off Workers 8. Conclusion Appendix Bibliography

Yongshun Cai is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Social Science at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.