Gao, H and Tyson, A orcid.org/0000-0002-4458-6870 (2017) Administrative Reform and the Transfer of Authority to Social Organizations in China. The China Quarterly, 232. pp. 1050-1069. ISSN 0305-7410
Abstract
In this article we examine the administrative functions being carried out by social organizations (SOs) since 2013, using evidence from Guangdong to demonstrate that the transfer of authority to SOs is selective, tends to create more burdens for local government, and generally does not lead to greater autonomy for SOs. We focus on five types of SOs that are undertaking new administrative functions with varying degrees of operational autonomy, which relates to the consultative authoritarian model proposed by Jessica Teets. Consultative authoritarianism allows for the expansion of relatively autonomous SOs and the development of indirect state control mechanisms. The model is designed to improve governance without democratization by expanding the role played by intermediaries such as SOs in public administration and service delivery. The evidence from Guangdong permits us to conclude that the transfer of authority to SOs allows for innovations in public administration, but that politics continues to motivate government decisions as to which functions are suitable for SOs to undertake, casting doubt on the ability of the Chinese Communist Party to achieve sustainable improvements in local governance and public service provision.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © SOAS University of London, 2017. This article has been published in a revised form in The China Quarterly published by Cambridge University Press, https://doi.org/10.1017/S030574101700087X. This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works. |
Keywords: | social organizations; administrative reform; China; politics; Guangdong |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Education, Social Sciences and Law (Leeds) > School of Politics & International Studies (POLIS) (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 06 Sep 2016 11:22 |
Last Modified: | 25 Jan 2018 11:22 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
Identification Number: | 10.1017/S030574101700087X |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:104291 |