The growth of rural industry in China since 1978 has been explosive. Much of the existing literature explains its growth in terms of changes in economic policy. By means of a combination of privatization, liberalization and fiscal decentralization, it is argued, rural industrialization has taken off. This book takes issue with such claims. Using a newly constructed dataset covering all of China's 2000 plus counties and complemented by a detailed econometric study of county-level industrialization in the provinces of Sichuan, Guangdong and Jiangsu, the author demonstrates that history mattered. More precisely, it is argued that the development of rural industry in the Maoist period set in motion a process of learning-by-doing whereby China's rural workforce gradually acquired an array of skills and competencies. As a result, rural industrialization was accelerating well before the 1978 climacteric. The growth of the 1980s and 1990s is therefore likely to be a continuation of this process. Without prior Maoist development of skills, the growth of the post-1978 era would have been much slower, and perhaps would not have occurred at all - as has been the case in countries such as India and Vietnam. This is not to say that the Maoist legacy was without flaw. Many of the rural industries created under Mao were geared towards meeting defence-related objectives resulting in inefficiencies, and there can be no question that post-1978 policy changes facilitated the growth process. But without the Maoist inheritance, rural industrialization across China would have been unsuccessful.
This book outlines and analyzes the economic development of China between 1949 and 2007. Rather than being narrowly economic, the book addresses many of the broader aspects of development, including literacy, morality, demographics and the environment. The distinctive features of this book are its sweep and that it does not shy away from controversial issues. For example, there is no question that aspects of Maoism were disastrous but Bramall argues that there was another side to the whole programme. More recently, the current system of government has presided over three decades of very rapid economic growth. However, the author shows that this growth has come at a price. Bramall makes it clear that unless radical change takes place, Chinese growth will not be sustainable. This large, comprehensive text is relevant to all those studying the economic history of China as well as its contemporary economy. It is also useful more generally for students and researchers in the fields of international and development economics.
The Industrialization of Rural China' highlights the economic & social achievements of the Maoist regime. Using a constructed dataset covering China's 2000 plus counties & complemented by a detailed econometric study of county-level industrialization in the provinces of Sichuan, Guangdong & Jiangsu, the author shows that history mattered.
This analysis of the political economy of growth in the era of Deng Xiaoping takes issue with the growth-accounting methodologies and market-centred explanations which characterize so much of the literature on transition-era China. By adopting an approach which echoes the pioneering work of Chalmers Johnson, Alice Amsden, and Robert Wade on other East Asian Economies, and which makes full use of the rich statistical materials that have become available since 1978, this book shows that Chinese growth was driven by a combination of state-led industrial policy and the favourable infrastructural legacies of the Maoist era. And in giving due weight to the sheer complexity of the growth process by looking in detail at the experience of four very different Chinese regions, it avoids over-simplistic macroeconomic generalization. Nevertheless, even this type of approach is inadequate, because it fails to explain why industrial policy has been so much more successful in China than in other countries. This book therefore goes beyond the 'development state' approach to argue that state autonomy in China reflected the remarkably equal distribution of income and wealth at the end of the 1970s and, paradoxically, the destruction of party structures and institutions during the Cultural Revolution. The policy implications are stark. The Chinese experience demonstrates that industrial policy and state spending on physical and social infrastructure can produce rich rewards; conversely, slavish reliance on foreign direct investment and trade are likely to limit the pace of growth. But attempts to replicate China's success in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia will fail because their governments will not resist rent-seeking by classes and interest groups. Moreover, as the state becomes weaker in the wake of the re-emergence of a powerful capitalist class, even Chinese growth may prove unsustainable.
Your mission to the world may start with simple things, such as a cup of cold water. But what are some of these simple things and how can you learn to recognize them and act? They may be: A “chance” meeting with a thirsty little girl on a back street in Haiti and God’s plan is received by the author, forever changing his life and that of his family. “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup and of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” – Matthew 10:42 What “cup of water” is Jesus asking you to deliver? What is your mission in this world? Are you willing to obey? Will you spend your life fishing safely from the dock? Or will you step out of a boat with Jesus and walk across the water in His plan? This short Topical Line Drives volume will encourage you to recognize these opportunities and act, doing good one small thing at a time.
What if God has had a plan for your life since the very beginning? Not just the beginning of your life, but from the foundations of faith itself? In Four Cups, pastor and New York Times best-selling author Chris Hodges shares an astonishing truth: The key to your spiritual fulfillment is found in four promises that God first spoke to His people in the Old Testament, and that are still at the core of his heart and his plans for you today. God wants to rescue you; to deliver you from whatever holds you back; for you to live out His plan for your life; and for you to be part of a family that is making a difference. Steeped in Jewish history and tradition, yet breathing the transforming hope of Christ on every page, Four Cups will help you move forward on your spiritual journey. You’ll understand the four stages of faith, believe the promises of God for your life . . . and discover what it means to be truly fulfilled.
Where’s God when times are hard? He’s winking to let us know He’s with us! Life is mysterious and cryptic. It defies explanation, especially in times of suffering and distress. We wonder, Where is God in all of this? He’s with us—and the Scriptures wink to show us His redemptive activity unfolding in our lives. In Winks from Scripture, Chris Palmer takes you through familiar New Testament stories and points out unfamiliar features that have the effect of a punchline. When the Scriptures wink, you’ll be surprised, delighted, and challenged not to give up hope. “Biblical stories are loaded with mystery,” Chris says. “That mystery keeps us asking questions about the story’s details. In doing so, little ironies and nuances emerge that we hadn’t seen before. This is God winking at us, letting us know He’s there, guiding our lives.” In Winks from Scripture, you will: • Come to embrace mystery • Learn how to appreciate uncertainty and integrate it into a vibrant life of faith • Discover how God triumphs over suffering • Observe how the New Testament writers understood the Old Testament through Jesus • Renew your hope in God’s beautiful plan of creation and redemption Guided by careful scholarship and heartfelt, pastoral reflection, these thirty studies offer a fresh perspective to the most difficult questions of the Christian faith, certain to bring comfort to your soul.
When life circumstances made her run from the God she had known all her life, He continued to show Himself to her. Once Chris Scholl realized He was not going anywhere, she gave in and is now closer to Him than ever. God speaks today, just as He did in the Old Testament days. The only difference now is, we have so much more clatter around us that we just have to look harder and listen closer. In Well, Let Me Just Tell Yall, Chris keeps it simple as she shares the lessons God has taught her. The book includes inspirations, devotionals, poems, and just a few of the many scriptures God has used to remind her that He has a purpose for all of us, that He loves us, and that He provides strength, hope, and forgiveness.
The Song of Solomon or "Song of Songs" is a story of intimacy between King Solomon and a Schulamite girl, his bride. It has also been interpreted by some to be an allegory of the love relationship between Christ and His Bride. However you choose to interpret this book, no one can deny the passion and intimacy that the king and his bride enjoy together. In the book Staircase to Transformation, we will take a journey with the Schulamite girl as her groom leads her into intimacy with him, and changes her into a strong woman of God. By following her journey, may your relationship with Christ become closer than ever, and may you be transformed into that woman of God you were created to be. Solomon 2:10 "Arise my darling, my beautiful one and come along." Chris Louer is a native born Californian who lives in Mission Viejo, California. Chris, a Bible teacher, received the Lord at the age of seven, and has been teaching and ministering to women for seventeen years. God's faithfulness to His Word is a reality to Chris and the gentle, practical way she encourages women, has won her the loving respect of women she has ministered to in Bible Studies, retreats and conferences, and individually over the past seventeen years. Chris and her husband Ron have been married for thirty-five years. They have two grown married daughters, Melissa and Adrianne, four grandchildren, as well as two godly son-in-laws, Shane and Aron. With boldness and practical teaching, Chris delivers the Word to this current generation, alerting the Body of Christ to what God requires to remain overcomers in these days.
“In Revelation 2:2, Jesus tells the church in Ephesus something intimate—Google Street View intimate. He says, ‘I know your works’ (Oida ta erga sou). Four words don’t seem like much, but in the Greek, it packs a punch.… Jesus chooses the Greek word oida, which expresses total, comprehensive knowledge. It is intimate knowledge that comes from being up close and personal. This knowledge isn’t hazy on the details. It doesn’t struggle to remember. It preserves the particulars. In the mind’s eye, everything is sharp and clear, like a well-taken photograph.” —Chris Palmer Letters from Jesus: Studies from the Seven Churches of Revelation explores Christ’s warnings to the seven most prominent churches in Asia Minor in the book of Revelation. These letters date back to 95 A.D., but they help us make a fascinating discovery about civilization: life hasn’t changed that much over the last two millennia. Author Chris Palmer illustrates the truths contained in the Letters from Jesus using modern, everyday examples. The host of the popular podcast Greek for the Week, he unpacks Greek words and phrases in these verses from Revelation with humor, joy, and biblical scholarship. Why study Greek, even just a little bit? As Chris explains, looking at the New Testament in the original language in which it was written can offer us some beautiful insights into God’s Word. “It’s like reading the Bible in high definition,” he says. Also, “studying God’s Word in the original language forces us to approach it with reverence and awe, humbling ourselves to obey what it says, whether it’s something we want to hear or not.”
Some say there were two thieves crucified on Golgotha, but I believe there were Three . “Gutsy. Unexpected. Refreshing. Chris Durso explains the story of saving Grace in a language that both the world and the Church, sinners and so-called saints, can understand. The Heist walks us down the road with the prodigal son, inviting us to come home to the One who has a grace-party waiting. Fresh and accessible, I believe this book will help many live fully and freely in Jesus.” —Louie Giglio, pastor of Passion City Church, founder of Passion Conferences, author of Goliath Must Fall In the ultimate act of sacrifice, Jesus robbed the Enemy of every claim he ever had on our lives. He stole all our shame and guilt, and gave us back our lives so that we could live in true freedom. The real scandal of Jesus’ work on the cross is found not only in what it gives but also in what it steals. The Grace of God robs the enemy of his ability to shame us. It robs death of its sting. And it robs sin of its power to destroy. We’ve all felt the weight of shame and brokenness. Like the prodigal son, we’ve pursued our own path only to find ourselves far from home and out of options. We long for a fresh start, but what we need most is the ability to see ourselves through God’s eyes of grace. New York City pastor Chris Durso believes grace is the central message of all Scripture. While there have been some daring heists and cunning capers throughout history, this book is about the greatest heist the world has ever seen…a daring raid where God’s son took back what the enemy had stolen, freeing us from the power of shame, sin, and Satan. Through a fresh take on the parable of the prodigal son, and the fascinating account of a true modern day diamond heist, The Heist offers a bold invitation into God’s boundless grace.
The authors share how, tired of just preaching the words of the Gospel, they tried to manifest the Gospel in their intentions and actions, and how this shift in focus from words to action changed their family, church, and relationship with God.
Imagine finding joy unspeakable through a simple hunt in the mountains. It is a beautiful, crisp late October morning. With shotgun in hand, Chris and his young Brittany bird dog, Maddie, head into the mountains. Maddie's excitement boils over as grouse season has finally begun after a long dry summer. The beauty of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains and the vibrant autumn leaves teach us that there is an Almighty God who created all things. As we search the mind of our Creator, we see that he is a loving God who desires for all mankind to be saved--and has provided a way. While hunting truth, we find that personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As that relationship grows, we learn His plan and His purpose through nature and through the experiences along the way. These help us grow as Christians, and by knowing His will for our lives, we can find that unspeakable joy.
With this collection of short stories, Howard has blended his passions for God and railroads. These tales are filled with thought-provoking insights and teachings, yet maintain a simplicity and clarity that all ages can enjoy. (Christian)
“This is the secret of the Saints: abiding in Christ, joined to him like branches to the vine, in order to bear much fruit.” Pope Francis We have an obligation as Christians to share the Gospel of Christ. But many are at a loss as to how to fulfill this commission. Good news – we have a clear path we can follow, trod by holy men and women who have successfully brought millions of souls to Christ, the saints! In his newest book, Casting Nets with the Saints, author and speaker Chris Stewart builds on The Seven Pillars of Effective Evangelization, using entertaining stories of the saints to demonstrate THE SEVEN CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE EVANGELIZER Modeled on the life and ministry of Jesus, a truly effective evangelist must be Joyful • Humble • Merciful • Peaceful • Faithful • Hopeful • Charitable As Casting Nets with the Saints powerfully demonstrates, the saints embody these characteristics, and their stories can inspire us to share the Faith. This book is perfect for individuals or parishes searching for an effective program for bringing the Faith to others and growing in it themselves.
Life is a series of lessons. For the Christian the goal of each is to guide and encourage the student to become a little more like Jesus. For some those lessons are taught in the office or classroom; for others, they arise in the home; for others still those lessons may be taught on the road while traveling from place to place. For me, many of those lessons have come on the hard and often unforgiving streets of Norfolk, Virginia. Some will bring a smile to your face, while others may bring tears. Some result in great victory, while others appear to end in tragedy and defeat. Some may provide answers, while others may raise questions, but all have a common purpose. Each one, when learned, will lead to a closer walk with Jesus Christ. This book is a collection of those lessons written in hopes that you too may be encouraged in your quest to become more like our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. God is still, as in times past, using the most unsuspecting people to teach some of His most profound lessons. Join with me now as together we let the lessons begin.
Pastor Chris does some really neat Bible Studies; when he taught one on the gospel stories that are unique to Luke, I thought he should write a book about it. He said yes, if I include my thought in it as well. The Young Pastor-Pastor Chris Halverson is currently the Pastor of St. Stephen Lutheran, South Plainfield, NJ. He came here directly from Seminary at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Before that he was a Missionary in England and did an M. Phil. in Intertestamental Studies at the University of Cambridge (St. Edmund's College). The Not So Young Parishioner-Linda Nietman, a life long Lutheran is a retired Navy Nurse. She worked at the bedside and as a nursing instructor for 25 years. While she at one time considered the ministry, she had found her true calling as a nurse and as an active parishioner.
The Author of this book, Chris Briscoe, wrote this to help us all come closer to answering that great mystery, "Is there a God?" Chris invites us to approach this problem from a different angle. For example, when scientists discovered six billion chemical-codes written on our double-threads of DNA (the double-helix- "double- spiral staircase") - it forces us to ask the question, "How could nature have written all that code when nature does not have a mind - it does not have real intelligence but works according to commands, so how could nature have written all that code or even inspired itself to write the code; which our bodies need to build the trillions of molecular machinery our bodies need, let alone which the first supposed cell needed when it arrived here on the earth. Scientists, engineers and architects today acknowledge that those molecular machines are actually the epitome of perfectly design and function; therefore, they are the strongest evidence that there must be a most intelligent mind and molecular scientist behind nature to have been inspired and designed every organism. Chris' premise is that when we look into the world of the cell and even the most "rudimentary" organism, it reveals a level of design element and complexity which could not have possibily originated in nature, alone. In other words, there must be a mind behind nature, the most intelligent molecular mind, just as there has to be a programmer behind computer program made. (Book's Index: Christian Apologetics)
Reaching maximum success cannot be achieved without making the necessary sacrifices. In fact, the size of any success is directly proportional to the extra mile covered in its pursuit. Therefore, the extra mile defines the level of success. Do not expect your actions to be logical when you are operating in this realm. Extra-mile actions do not make sense because they do not appeal to the senses. So when you are about to embark on an extra-mile action, it is pointless to consult anyone but God! Sacrificing can hurt, but nothing lifts the spirit of a person better. You can change your present circumstances by launching your sacrifices a notch higher.
Thank you for visiting our website. Would you like to provide feedback on how we could improve your experience?
This site does not use any third party cookies with one exception — it uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic.Learn More.