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Reform Impossible to Achieve: Study of China’s Publishing Industry and Book Number System

Wang, Beiyao (2024) COSM40 20241
Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University
Abstract
This study explores the dual structure of China's publishing industry, focusing on the China Standard Book Number (中国标准书号) system. This system grants book number rights exclusively to state-owned entities linked to the Communist Party, who then sell these numbers to private publishers. The research examines how this licensing system influences party control and market dynamics within the industry.

The analysis investigates institutional arrangements using new institutional economics, emphasizing property rights, transaction costs, and governance structures. The study reveals that the book number system distorts property rights, imposes high transaction costs, and enforces bureaucratic governance, negatively impacting market vitality and... (More)
This study explores the dual structure of China's publishing industry, focusing on the China Standard Book Number (中国标准书号) system. This system grants book number rights exclusively to state-owned entities linked to the Communist Party, who then sell these numbers to private publishers. The research examines how this licensing system influences party control and market dynamics within the industry.

The analysis investigates institutional arrangements using new institutional economics, emphasizing property rights, transaction costs, and governance structures. The study reveals that the book number system distorts property rights, imposes high transaction costs, and enforces bureaucratic governance, negatively impacting market vitality and competition.

Politically, the system functions as a censorship tool, ensuring the CCP's ideological control over publishing, limiting diversity, and restricting free speech. The research concludes that the book number system hampers the free development of China's publishing market and intellectual freedom. It also reflects broader issues in the dual-track system of state owned and private enterprises, highlighting the need for institutional reform and balanced market development in China. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Wang, Beiyao
supervisor
organization
course
COSM40 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
China, Publishing, New Institutional Economics, Censorship, Book Number
language
English
id
9172013
date added to LUP
2024-08-19 10:12:53
date last changed
2024-08-19 10:12:53
@misc{9172013,
  abstract     = {{This study explores the dual structure of China's publishing industry, focusing on the China Standard Book Number (中国标准书号) system. This system grants book number rights exclusively to state-owned entities linked to the Communist Party, who then sell these numbers to private publishers. The research examines how this licensing system influences party control and market dynamics within the industry.

The analysis investigates institutional arrangements using new institutional economics, emphasizing property rights, transaction costs, and governance structures. The study reveals that the book number system distorts property rights, imposes high transaction costs, and enforces bureaucratic governance, negatively impacting market vitality and competition.

Politically, the system functions as a censorship tool, ensuring the CCP's ideological control over publishing, limiting diversity, and restricting free speech. The research concludes that the book number system hampers the free development of China's publishing market and intellectual freedom. It also reflects broader issues in the dual-track system of state owned and private enterprises, highlighting the need for institutional reform and balanced market development in China.}},
  author       = {{Wang, Beiyao}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Reform Impossible to Achieve: Study of China’s Publishing Industry and Book Number System}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}