Participation with Chinese characteristics: an analysis of the 'mass line' in rural Maoist China and its implications for participatory development in the reform era

This paper analyses the theory and practice of the mass line in rural Maoist China from the perspective of participatory development. It shows that similar elements can be found in the mass line and participatory development approaches in terms of their epistemological presuppositions, methodologies and conception of the nature of participation. In practice, the mass line led to lively and autonomous participation at the grassroots level. As participation continued to develop, peasants began to question the constraints imposed by the wider policy environment, showing the failings of a consensual model in understanding the dynamics of power and participation. Some practical implications of the mass line experience for participatory development in the reform era are drawn and the paper concludes by emphasising the importance of peasant's participation in the future development of China.