Enterprise, family and society: Economic development and sociocultural changes in the Pearl River Delta area of China

Rural economic and social development has been an important issue for many developing countries. China has experienced a unique rural development strategy since 1979. The emergence and rapid growth of rural non-agricultural enterprises in China have drawn the attention of many economists. This study aims at providing a comprehensive evaluation of the validity and the consequences of such a development strategy. The research combines historical review and anthropological depth to examine the economic and social consequences of the development of rural enterprises in a township in south China.;The issues concerned in this study were: (1) had the strategy in developing rural non-agricultural enterprises met its goal in increasing household income and improving the peasants' living standards? (2) how did the transformation of economic patterns affect the family structure and the village organization during this period? (3) what were some of the socio-cultural consequences of the large-scale development of rural non-agricultural enterprises?;Four administrative villages in a township were chosen to conduct participant observation and intensive interviews. Qualitative and quantitative data were gathered over a period of six months in 1989, to investigate the manner of economic transformation and the degree of social adaptation. Synchronic and diachronic analyses were combined to determine the context of socio-economic changes and the trend that will probably continue to next few decades. The field research and analysis, which combined micro analysis and macro interpretation, led into one of the most important aspects in the study of socio-economic development. Social transformation is understandable only by conjoining micro and macro analyses.;The study revealed that the rural development strategy has achieved considerable success in providing vast employment opportunities and improving the rural population's living standards. Consequently, the average size of households in this township, as well as in China, has decreased due to the increased division of the family, which was encouraged by the rapid increase of living space resulting from the rise of household income. The birth control policy practiced in China also has a significant effect on the household size. The study shows that economic considerations and social ties were important factors in marriage choices. The socio-economic development in this area also resulted in the changes in recreational patterns and people's social values. The emergence of a large number of migrants has disturbed the social order. In addition, the development strategy has had an environmental impact and led to a decrease in farmland. These should be regarded as some of the adverse side-effects of the Chinese rural development strategy.