Governance in China

Crucial to the success of any further economic reform, good governance is the Chinese Communist Party's greatest challenge as it plans for the future. This groundbreaking book explores the key dimensions of governance in China. These include the prospects for political reform; the processes of institution-building, such as strengthening state capacity and improving the legislative framework; enhancing regime legitimacy through local elections; and managing social discontent. Drawing on original fieldwork, the international group of authors provides a systematic analysis of the complex causes underlying China's governance problems and reflects on the prospects for future social and political change.

Over the past two decades, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has paradoxically steered the development of a thriving capitalist economy. Unlike many faltering post-socialist states with fragile economies and weakly institutionalised democratic structures, China has witnessed a tide of economic entrepreneurialism that has raised living standards and the country's global economic stature. However, the strains of rapid economic change and the tensions between an increasingly liberalized economy and the partially reformed institutions of an authoritarian polity have become increasingly severe. Crucial to the success of further economic reform and development, good governance is the greatest challenge faced by the CCP.

This groundbreaking book explores the key dimensions of governance in China. These include the prospects for political reform as a new generation of leaders comes to power and China enters the World Trade Organization; the processes of building institutions, such as developing a clean, competent, and meritocracy-based civil service, and improving the legislative framework; enhancing regime legitimacy through the sharing of power at lower levels and promoting citizen participation and voice; and finally the prevention and management of social discontent, with particular reference to worker unrest and the Falun Gong. Drawing on original fieldwork, the international group of authors provides a systematic analysis of the political, institutional, and economic causes underlying China's governance problems and considers the prospects for future social and political change.

Chapter 1 Governance Matters: Key Challenges and Emerging Tendencies
Chapter 2 Elite Responses to Social Change and Globalization
Chapter 3 Governance and Civil Service Reform
Chapter 4 Reforming State Institutions: Privatizing The Lawyers' System
Chapter 5 Bringing Culture Back In
Chapter 6 Local Governance: Village and Township Direct Elections
Chapter 7 Neighborhood-Level Governance: The Growing Social Foundation of a Public Sphere
Chapter 8 New Directions in Civil Society: Organizing around Marginalized Interests
Chapter 9 Gender and Governance: The Rise of New Women's Organizations
Chapter 10 The Working Class and Governance
Chapter 11 Governance and the Political Challenge of the Falun Gong
Chapter 12 Getting to the Roots: Governance Pathologies and Future Prospects