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Grassroots Governance in Urban China: Transition, Power Operation, and Findings from Beijing

Liu, Ruoxi (2019) CÖSM40
Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University
Abstract
This thesis reveals the process of the elimination of the danwei system and the establishment of the shequ system. How power operates in grassroots urban governance is asked in this thesis. By adopting a framework of power theory and data from the two-period fieldwork, this thesis has two findings. First, in terms of Chinese grassroots governance, power penetrates structurally and individually. The structural power is defined as the ability entitled by the political structure, which can make things happen, prevent something, or create a discourse. It is reflected by the practice of dual system and of deliberative democracy in shequ. As the extension of structural power, individual power brings both broader boundary of grassroots leader’s... (More)
This thesis reveals the process of the elimination of the danwei system and the establishment of the shequ system. How power operates in grassroots urban governance is asked in this thesis. By adopting a framework of power theory and data from the two-period fieldwork, this thesis has two findings. First, in terms of Chinese grassroots governance, power penetrates structurally and individually. The structural power is defined as the ability entitled by the political structure, which can make things happen, prevent something, or create a discourse. It is reflected by the practice of dual system and of deliberative democracy in shequ. As the extension of structural power, individual power brings both broader boundary of grassroots leader’s behavior and more pressure. Second, power is reacted differently. The grassroots leaders in urban area react to superior power with more autonomy than the ones in the rural area. Activists in shequ react to power positively either for the mental legacy of the pre-reform era or for the sense of belonging. In contrast, the inactive majority prefers to keep a distance from the local authority. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Liu, Ruoxi
supervisor
organization
course
CÖSM40
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
China, Power, Shequ, Grassroots Governance
language
English
id
8996939
date added to LUP
2019-10-22 10:59:52
date last changed
2019-10-22 10:59:52
@misc{8996939,
  abstract     = {{This thesis reveals the process of the elimination of the danwei system and the establishment of the shequ system. How power operates in grassroots urban governance is asked in this thesis. By adopting a framework of power theory and data from the two-period fieldwork, this thesis has two findings. First, in terms of Chinese grassroots governance, power penetrates structurally and individually. The structural power is defined as the ability entitled by the political structure, which can make things happen, prevent something, or create a discourse. It is reflected by the practice of dual system and of deliberative democracy in shequ. As the extension of structural power, individual power brings both broader boundary of grassroots leader’s behavior and more pressure. Second, power is reacted differently. The grassroots leaders in urban area react to superior power with more autonomy than the ones in the rural area. Activists in shequ react to power positively either for the mental legacy of the pre-reform era or for the sense of belonging. In contrast, the inactive majority prefers to keep a distance from the local authority.}},
  author       = {{Liu, Ruoxi}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Grassroots Governance in Urban China: Transition, Power Operation, and Findings from Beijing}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}