Population and Society in Contemporary Tibet

6. Economic Patterns and Transitions in the Tibetan Autonomous Region

6 Economic Patterns and Transitions in the Tibetan Autonomous Region In the past several decades, studies about Tibet have attracted substantial attention. In general, they have concentrated primarily on history, religion and traditional culture, as well as on Han settlement, ethnic relations and human rights (Pye, 1975; Dreyer, 1976; Grunfeld, 1987; Goldstein, 1989a). Tibet’s economic situation has received only limited attention, however (Fischer, 2005; Sautman and Dreyer, 2006). The literature on ethnicity shows that conflicts between groups with different economic interests (in term of access to natural resources, trade balance, wealth and power distribution) often generate ethnic conflicts (Glazer and Moynihan, 1975: 8; Smith, 1991: 20). In some cases, religious groups have their own economic interests and actively participate in economic affairs (Weber, 1963: 223). Migration (the number and occupational structure of migrants, timing and formation of migration) between regions where different ethnic groups live is also affected by the economic relationship between the regions (De Jong and Fawcett, 1981). Economic activities (production, trade, consumption, investment and finance) are among the basic activities of human society, and shape survival and personal development. Economics is critical to understanding the dynamics of social change. The major questions addressed in this chapter are: (a) the primary characteristics of the modern economy of the TAR before and after 1951, the nature of economic relations between the TAR and other regions in the past and present. The effect economic relations had on migration and ethnic relationships in the TAR before 1951; (b) the changes in the TAR’s economy in the past five decades, the major characteristics of the current economy in the TAR, the major impact of these changes on migration and Han-Tibetan relations; (c) the role the central government and the Han have played in the TAR’s economy since 1959; (d) the reasons for the TAR having two different economic patterns before and after 1959, and the inherent links between the two. Because Tibetans living outside the TAR1 have been under the governments of the provinces in which they reside and because they have been integrated into the 138 Population and Society in Contemporary Tibet provincial economies for centuries to a certain extent, this study will focus solely on the TAR. The data and information used in this study are mainly from official statistics and census data, as well as from relevant publications in Chinese and English. The survey of literature is not comprehensive because materials and literature in Tibetan and other languages have not been used. People may question the quality of the census or Chinese government statistics, but as the only systematic economic data available, they provide important points of reference. A Theoretical Framework The literature on migration and regional development (Goldlust and Richmond, 1974; Shaw, 1975; Todaro, 1985; Hansen et al, 1990) identifies the following economic activities as shown in Figure 6.1 and other factors that might affect ethnic relationships in Tibet. Figure 6.1. The Model for Analyzing Factors Affecting Economic Exchanges and Migration between Ethnic Groups in Two Regions In this model, differentials in social and economic systems (e.g. land ownership and administrative systems) and cultural aspects (e.g. religion, language) between two regions (Tibet and other areas in China) are assumed to affect the content and extent of administrative and social communications, economic exchanges (aid and trade), and migration (official assignment and transfers, circular or settled merchants, labor migration) between the regions. Large differentials in economic systems may limit trade and migration (Findley, 1977). People usually hesitate to migrate to a Influences of foreign governments Policy implications Natural Resources and Economic Opportunities Relationship between ethnic groups in two regions Administrative relationship, Social communications, Economic exchanges Migration between two areas (number and occupational structure of migrants) Geographic and relevant custom differentials, transportation conditions Social economic differentials cultural ⎫ ⎬ ⎭ 139 Economic Patterns and Transitions in the Tibetan Autonomous Region region where the social system, ownership system and language are different from that with which they are accustomed. But if there are strong economic incentives in destination such as higher income or strong political pressure in the place of origin, people may decide to migrate. Besides having a direct impact, social, economic and cultural differentials between two regions indirectly affect trade and migration through their influence on the attitudes and policies (regulations) of regional authorities toward these activities. If geographic features (elevation, humidity, landscape, natural resources) and life customs (diet, housing styles) are very...