This seminar examines recent development in state-society relations in both rural and urban areas. The focus lies on change and continuity of modes of interactions and the party-state's reform policies with regard to regional disparities and rising socio-economic tensions inside Chinese society. Based on several case studies this seminar analyses online and offline protests (and their recursive interlinkages) as well as their implications for Chinese politics; new modes of civil society self-organization (e.g. environmental NGOs) and the role of the party-state in coordinating and solving local conflicts.
In addition to the level of visible (inter-)actions, the seminar will also shed light on the ideational foundations of the PRC's political system and assess the impact of state philosophy on Chinese politics. This will include an in-depth reading of recent Chinese debates on governance philosophy and the PRC's future development paths under the fifth generation. Special attention will be paid to inner-party factionalism and the controversial debates between the Chinese New Left and the advocates of a neoliberal development path. |
