The Implementation of the CCP’s Democratic Reform Movement of Corporations and workers’ experiences in Beijing in 1949-1951

After the CCP took control of the cities, they initiated a democratic reform movement within corporations. The 'batou(把頭)', who had suppressed workers and held responsibilities as middle-level managers for production and personnel management, were removed by the CCP. However, even though the system was abolished, the power structure did not change easily, and the 'batou' resisted in various ways. Some of them retained their influence by joining trade unions or the new corporate management system. In response, the CCP organized the 'Complaint(訴苦)' Movement, mobilizing masses of workers from below. Throughout the democratic reform movement, the political consciousness of the workers advanced, and the status of trade unions improved. The democratization of corporate management transformed the role of the 'batou' into a new system in which the government, trade unions, and workers directly participated in corporatemanagement decisions.BR Nevertheless, the democratic reform movement of corporations also faced problems and limitations. In some cases, the abolition of the 'batou' system was not fully implemented, and the democratic reform movement stagnated. The establishment of the factory management committee and the employee representative council, which were at the core of corporate management democratization, was criticized for being purely formal, as these organizations struggled to function effectively. Additionally, issues related to bureaucracy and the proxy agents of executives faced consistent criticism. This can be attributed to the reform being pushed too aggressively from above in a situation where the workers were not adequately organized. Even among the executives responsible for promoting the reform, there was a lack of awareness of its necessity.BR Above all, it is essential to note that the ultimate goal of the democratic reform movement of corporations was to revive and develop production. The people's government that emerged after the CCP's Communist Revolution declared that "the working class is the leading class and the master of the country." Nevertheless, it was repeatedly emphasized that the ultimate goal of the democratic reform of corporations was production recovery and development. However, in the short term, the priority of production development could conflict with the declaration of 'workers as the masters,' as it implied the potential subordination of workers. In this context, it is necessary to further examine the historical implications of the policy prioritizing production development.