State–society relations under a new model of control in China: Graduated control 2.0

Abstract

Graduated control models are often used to explain the variety of government treatment of social organizations in China. These models have been slowly losing their explanatory power in recent years, with advocacy-oriented grass-roots groups participating in the policymaking process. Why are these social groups not regulated in the way the graduated control models predict? Based on an analysis of three recent policy advocacy cases, this article proposes a graduated control 2.0 model to explain the new dynamics in Chinese state–society interactions. The upgraded model argues that the government officials’ behaviour patterns are influenced by numerous factors such as the inherent nature of social groups highlighted by graduated control models, and inter-ministerial competition – the power position of the state sector and its rival sector in the bureaucratic system. Some contingent factors also play a part, such as timing and the NGO’s onstage performance. This research contributes to the ongoing discussion on Chinese state–society relations by developing a theoretical model that highlights both the fragmentation and reactiveness of state control over social groups and further unpacks the ‘monolithic state’ in China studies.

HSU, Szu‑chien, Kellee S. TSAI, and Chun‑chih CHANG (eds.). 2021.

“…This evolutionary framework holds that interactions between the state and societal actors are dynamic rather than static -they change over time, vary across issue areas, and shift with the strategies taken. Although there have been works recognising the dynamism of state-society interactions in China (Zhang and Barr 2013;Qiaoan 2020), this volume offers the most systematic analysis of the topic.…”

An NGO disaster relief network for small and medium-scale natural hazards in China

“…NGOs in China have been found to be more constrained than in other countries (Alagappa 2004 ; Sun 2017 ). Therefore, to better serve the residents, local NGOs need to deal carefully with local authorities (Qiaoan 2020 ). Because OF operates as a platform for nurturing 20 provincial NDRNs, it inevitably has frequent interactions with government on all levels, which has assisted in its development of these networks.…”

Strategic responses of NGOs to the new party-building campaign in China

“… 21. Diana Fu, Fragmented control: Governing contentious labor organizations in China, Governance 30(3), 2017: 445–62; Runya Qiaoan, State–society relations under a new model of control in China: Graduated control 2.0, China Information 3 4(1), 2020: 24–44. …”