Originally published in 1983. Since Mao Zedongfs death the Chinese have been debating the future character of the country’s political and economic system. The present collection of Chen Yun’s writings must be read against the backdrop of the ongoing policy discussion in the 1980s. Chen has been, and remains, an advocate of economic policies that are central to this debate, and since 1978 many of his views have become state policy. In this context the publication in China of this volume of Chen’s writings and speeches from 1956 to 1962 undoubtedly is designed in part to bolster Chen’s point of view in policy discussions. The author cites that the implicit message of this volume, translated here in full, is that had Chen's views been heeded earlier, China would have developed rapidly and successfully