side and gave peasants more free choice, they responded with greater enthusiasm and higher production….when people realized the absurdity of political campaigns in the countryside and stopped cutting each other’s throats, and when the national policy became more flexible toward peasants, that we were able to achieve genuine development” (Huang 132-133). More plainly, Ye believes that every individual can judge his own situation better than any statesman or lawgiver. Tocqueville takes a stand on this as well, very similar to P.S. Ye’s ideals. Alexis de Tocqueville offers a satisfying idea stemming from the same faith in individual sovereignty: “Providence has given each individual the amount of reason necessary for him to look after himself in matters of his own exclusive concern. That is the great maxim on which civil and political society in the United States rests..." (397) Tocqueville’s idea pertains to the United States, but may also illustrate an aspect that was key in the social development in China. The government needed to have faith in the self-sufficiency of their citizens. This issue expands even further in to how the citizens help each other in terms of social development. Huang narrates P.S. Ye’s story of how he took initiative to allow villagers to be elected into offices that pertain to their well-being. It may go against Party beliefs; however, it instigated greater production. Under Deng Xiaoping, he allocated this sort of policy on a national level making Ye’s decisions legit. Ye realized the human injustices within the village and thus necessitated change. The end result of the efforts of Deng, Ye, and other Party leaders, was successful “pragmatism and local initiatives.” Tocqueville argues that helping one another is also a key element in less-developed societies. It is like Noah’s Arch; they are all on the same boat. Tocqueville agrees ...
