Civil Society under Authoritarianism The China Model [Paperback]

Civil Society under Authoritarianism takes a fresh look at civil society in China, analyzing the nuanced and dynamic relationship between civil society and government officials.Much of what is written about civil society in China focuses on state repression. However, this victim-centered narrative disregards how such organizations effectively navigate the authoritarian state and, more importantly, are able to teach state officials about the benefits of a vibrant civil society. Evidence of this fresh perspective is seen in the policy changes governing civil society and through the increasing contracting out of service delivery. In this text, the author demonstrates the power of learning and the agency of civil society to change local officials' perspectives.Much of what is written about civil society in China focuses on state repression. However, this victim-centered narrative disregards how such organizations effectively navigate the authoritarian state and, more importantly, are able to teach state officials about the benefits of a vibrant civil society. Evidence of this fresh perspective is seen in the policy changes governing civil society and through the increasing contracting out of service delivery. In this text, the author demonstrates the power of learning and the agency of civil society to change local officials' perspectives.Despite the dominant narrative of the repression of civil society in China, Civil Society Under Authoritarianism: The China Model argues that interactions between local officials and civil society facilitate a learning process, whereby each actor learns about the intentions and work processes of the other. Over the past two decades, often facilitated by foreign donors and problems within the general social framework, these interactions generated a process in which officials learned the benefits and disadvantages of civil society. Civil society supports local officials' efforts to provide social services and improve public policies, yetlÃ4