In this book, an international team of scholars explores not only the politics of xiagang, but also the effect on Chinese workers and their families, and the variety of their responses to this unprecedented dislocation in their lives.

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.

USA. Case study of a farmingdale (long island) branch of the aircraft industry in 1963 and 1964 as an example of economic implications of disarmament, with particular reference to the layoff of workers - covers living conditions, employment opportunities, relevant wages changes, etc., in respect of the affected personnel.

Discusses 1.) how many laid-off state employees have been hired back by the state? 2.) is there a state hiring freeze? 3.) are there specific positions the state intends to fill? 4.) what specific Department of Transportation (DOT) positions remain to be filled and which ones have been permanently eliminated?