Andrzej Bolesta
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9781447321507
- eISBN:
- 9781447321514
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447321507.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Public Policy
The re-emergence of China as an economic superpower is a spectacular phenomenon. How has it happened? Where does China go? Is there a model which China is believed to have been following and does the ...
More
The re-emergence of China as an economic superpower is a spectacular phenomenon. How has it happened? Where does China go? Is there a model which China is believed to have been following and does the model offer some transferable lessons? This book tries to answer those questions, as it is intended to contribute to the explanation of China's contemporary development trajectory. There is a plethora of analyses of post-Mao China's transformation and development. However, this book is the first comprehensive attempt to frame China's advancements within the context of the East Asian developmental miracle. It is argued here that China is a genus of post-socialist developmental state model, which fuses the two intellectual streams, that of the concept of the developmental state and that of post-socialist transformation. As China transits from central planning to market, it tries to imitate the institutions and policies of Japan and South Korea during their high growth periods of the second half of the twentieth century. This approach – broadly in opposition to the 30 years of neo-liberal propaganda worldwide – has brought impressive results and gives us some predictability as to the future. The book is divided into five chapters. Chapter one examines the concept of the developmental state. Chapter two focuses on post-socialist transformation in China. Chapter three is a comparative analysis of systemic and institutional arrangements of China, Japan and Korea. Chapter four discusses the three countries’ development policies. Chapter five examines China as a post-socialist developmental state and discusses the model's broader applicability.Less
The re-emergence of China as an economic superpower is a spectacular phenomenon. How has it happened? Where does China go? Is there a model which China is believed to have been following and does the model offer some transferable lessons? This book tries to answer those questions, as it is intended to contribute to the explanation of China's contemporary development trajectory. There is a plethora of analyses of post-Mao China's transformation and development. However, this book is the first comprehensive attempt to frame China's advancements within the context of the East Asian developmental miracle. It is argued here that China is a genus of post-socialist developmental state model, which fuses the two intellectual streams, that of the concept of the developmental state and that of post-socialist transformation. As China transits from central planning to market, it tries to imitate the institutions and policies of Japan and South Korea during their high growth periods of the second half of the twentieth century. This approach – broadly in opposition to the 30 years of neo-liberal propaganda worldwide – has brought impressive results and gives us some predictability as to the future. The book is divided into five chapters. Chapter one examines the concept of the developmental state. Chapter two focuses on post-socialist transformation in China. Chapter three is a comparative analysis of systemic and institutional arrangements of China, Japan and Korea. Chapter four discusses the three countries’ development policies. Chapter five examines China as a post-socialist developmental state and discusses the model's broader applicability.
Andrzej Bolesta
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9781447321507
- eISBN:
- 9781447321514
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447321507.003.0003
- Subject:
- Political Science, Public Policy
As it embraces around 25 percent of the human population, post-socialist transformation is by all means a process of historical significance. It is hardly possible to imagine complex and extensive ...
More
As it embraces around 25 percent of the human population, post-socialist transformation is by all means a process of historical significance. It is hardly possible to imagine complex and extensive systemic changes that equal those taking place in parts of Europe and Asia. The process is twofold in nature; from the political perspective, authoritarian regimes are being replaced by democracies and, from the socio-economic perspective, the systems are being transformed from centrally-planned economies to market economies. This chapter examines the process of post-socialist transformation. It begins with the analysis of the general theory and discusses the main threads of the debate on the modes of transformation in reference to the so-called Washington Consensus. This is followed by a detailed analysis of post-socialist transformation in China. It is argued that China is indeed a post-socialist state in the process of systemic reformulation. The examination concerns China's transformation's political and economic features, its chronology and various perspectives. It is compared with the processes in other post-socialist countries. Finally, the developmental exceptionality of China's transformation is illustrated using quantitative examination.Less
As it embraces around 25 percent of the human population, post-socialist transformation is by all means a process of historical significance. It is hardly possible to imagine complex and extensive systemic changes that equal those taking place in parts of Europe and Asia. The process is twofold in nature; from the political perspective, authoritarian regimes are being replaced by democracies and, from the socio-economic perspective, the systems are being transformed from centrally-planned economies to market economies. This chapter examines the process of post-socialist transformation. It begins with the analysis of the general theory and discusses the main threads of the debate on the modes of transformation in reference to the so-called Washington Consensus. This is followed by a detailed analysis of post-socialist transformation in China. It is argued that China is indeed a post-socialist state in the process of systemic reformulation. The examination concerns China's transformation's political and economic features, its chronology and various perspectives. It is compared with the processes in other post-socialist countries. Finally, the developmental exceptionality of China's transformation is illustrated using quantitative examination.
Andrzej Bolesta
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9781447321507
- eISBN:
- 9781447321514
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447321507.003.0005
- Subject:
- Political Science, Public Policy
This chapter focuses on the state policies related to China's development trajectory, which are selected on the basis of their role in the historical developmental states and are examined in a ...
More
This chapter focuses on the state policies related to China's development trajectory, which are selected on the basis of their role in the historical developmental states and are examined in a comparative analysis with similar policies in Japan and Korea. There are three sets of state policies which are examined: The policy of industrial development is concerned with the targeting of certain branches of a national economy to be developed, due to their real or potential added value in general developmental efforts; The policy of import discrimination and export support illustrates the very mechanisms utilised in the directing of the inter-border flow of goods; The financial policy of support for industrial development and export reveals the broad range of state instruments to additionally enhance the development trajectory in the market economic conditions via financial and fiscal incentives stimulating industrialisation and international trade. It is argued that they have all been of paramount importance for China's development. This analysis is preceded by the examination of general perceptions of the industrial policies and by the analysis of the agrarian policies, as the pre-conditionality for industrial development.Less
This chapter focuses on the state policies related to China's development trajectory, which are selected on the basis of their role in the historical developmental states and are examined in a comparative analysis with similar policies in Japan and Korea. There are three sets of state policies which are examined: The policy of industrial development is concerned with the targeting of certain branches of a national economy to be developed, due to their real or potential added value in general developmental efforts; The policy of import discrimination and export support illustrates the very mechanisms utilised in the directing of the inter-border flow of goods; The financial policy of support for industrial development and export reveals the broad range of state instruments to additionally enhance the development trajectory in the market economic conditions via financial and fiscal incentives stimulating industrialisation and international trade. It is argued that they have all been of paramount importance for China's development. This analysis is preceded by the examination of general perceptions of the industrial policies and by the analysis of the agrarian policies, as the pre-conditionality for industrial development.
Julie Ren
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- September 2015
- ISBN:
- 9781447313472
- eISBN:
- 9781447313502
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447313472.003.0017
- Subject:
- Political Science, Public Policy
This chapter examines whether gentrification is an effective means to describe the changes urban China is undergoing. It discusses the strategic reasons for studying ‘gentrification’ in China and the ...
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This chapter examines whether gentrification is an effective means to describe the changes urban China is undergoing. It discusses the strategic reasons for studying ‘gentrification’ in China and the potential shortcomings. It is especially concerned that ‘gentrification’ research in China may obscure a more contextually relevant understanding of urban inequality and that rebalancing the equation towards ‘the particular’ might isolate Chinese urbanism in its own parochial frame.Less
This chapter examines whether gentrification is an effective means to describe the changes urban China is undergoing. It discusses the strategic reasons for studying ‘gentrification’ in China and the potential shortcomings. It is especially concerned that ‘gentrification’ research in China may obscure a more contextually relevant understanding of urban inequality and that rebalancing the equation towards ‘the particular’ might isolate Chinese urbanism in its own parochial frame.
Andrzej Bolesta
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9781447321507
- eISBN:
- 9781447321514
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447321507.003.0002
- Subject:
- Political Science, Public Policy
This chapter is a thorough examination of the concept of the developmental state (DS) – believed to be a key policy and institutional arrangement behind the greatest developmental successes of the ...
More
This chapter is a thorough examination of the concept of the developmental state (DS) – believed to be a key policy and institutional arrangement behind the greatest developmental successes of the second half of the twentieth century, often referred to as the East Asian miracle. The chapter is also concerned with the DS model's contemporary applicability and the extension of the DS debate to China. Is it a contemporarily valid recipe for underdevelopment or just a historical phenomenon with no relevance for the globalised world? In view of the spectacular developmental advancements of China and its geographical and cultural proximity to the countries of the East Asian miracle, among them Japan and Korea, there perhaps should be some reference and relevance. The chapter starts with an analysis of the features of the developmental state, which involves its economic and political conditionality. It examines the model's geographical and temporal limitations, the relations among the state's main actors, institutional and systemic arrangements, state ideology and state policies. Upon establishing a set of features and conditionalities, as presented in the scholarly literature, it is argued that the model's variation can still be contemporarily applicable. It is then explained how it extends to contemporary China.Less
This chapter is a thorough examination of the concept of the developmental state (DS) – believed to be a key policy and institutional arrangement behind the greatest developmental successes of the second half of the twentieth century, often referred to as the East Asian miracle. The chapter is also concerned with the DS model's contemporary applicability and the extension of the DS debate to China. Is it a contemporarily valid recipe for underdevelopment or just a historical phenomenon with no relevance for the globalised world? In view of the spectacular developmental advancements of China and its geographical and cultural proximity to the countries of the East Asian miracle, among them Japan and Korea, there perhaps should be some reference and relevance. The chapter starts with an analysis of the features of the developmental state, which involves its economic and political conditionality. It examines the model's geographical and temporal limitations, the relations among the state's main actors, institutional and systemic arrangements, state ideology and state policies. Upon establishing a set of features and conditionalities, as presented in the scholarly literature, it is argued that the model's variation can still be contemporarily applicable. It is then explained how it extends to contemporary China.
Andrzej Bolesta
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9781447321507
- eISBN:
- 9781447321514
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447321507.003.0004
- Subject:
- Political Science, Public Policy
In this chapter, the politics of development is examined in a comparative perspective, between China and the two largest historical developmental states – Japan and Korea. The examination focuses on ...
More
In this chapter, the politics of development is examined in a comparative perspective, between China and the two largest historical developmental states – Japan and Korea. The examination focuses on several groups of features, i.e. state ideology and institutional and systemic arrangements, including those of political, economic and social character, without, however, insisting on a firm division among them. The stress is on the positioning of the state and its consequences rather than on exhaustive categorisation of the features of respective development trajectories. The chapter begins with the examination of economic nationalism. It then proceeds to the systemic arrangements and state capacity and legitimacy. It continues with the examination of the relations among the main actors of development, including labour relations. It also tackles the phenomenon of corruption. Finally, it discusses state interventionism through economic bureaucracy.Less
In this chapter, the politics of development is examined in a comparative perspective, between China and the two largest historical developmental states – Japan and Korea. The examination focuses on several groups of features, i.e. state ideology and institutional and systemic arrangements, including those of political, economic and social character, without, however, insisting on a firm division among them. The stress is on the positioning of the state and its consequences rather than on exhaustive categorisation of the features of respective development trajectories. The chapter begins with the examination of economic nationalism. It then proceeds to the systemic arrangements and state capacity and legitimacy. It continues with the examination of the relations among the main actors of development, including labour relations. It also tackles the phenomenon of corruption. Finally, it discusses state interventionism through economic bureaucracy.
Andrzej Bolesta
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9781447321507
- eISBN:
- 9781447321514
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447321507.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, Public Policy
This chapter explains China's contemporary development trajectory. It examines the main features of the post-socialist developmental state (PSDS), as one which fuses the two intellectual streams, ...
More
This chapter explains China's contemporary development trajectory. It examines the main features of the post-socialist developmental state (PSDS), as one which fuses the two intellectual streams, that of the concept of the developmental state and that of post-socialist transformation. It is argued that China has become a genus of the PSDS model and that this model provides an explanation for the institutional and policy choices of the state leadership during the time of systemic transformation. The concept of post-socialist developmental state is believed to be a normative model, with transferable lessons for underdeveloped countries in systemic transition. For the post-socialist states it is seen as the logical consequence of transformation, which was not employed due to international pressure. For other underdeveloped countries it is offered as a general developmental guidance, valid particularly now when neo-liberalism has been discredited and the criticism of global capitalism is mounting, and there is indeed some space to be less doctrinaire in an attempt to accelerate development. The chapter starts with the examination of the PSDS features. It then continues with the explanation of China's development as a genus of the PSDS model. Finally it examines the model's broader applicability.Less
This chapter explains China's contemporary development trajectory. It examines the main features of the post-socialist developmental state (PSDS), as one which fuses the two intellectual streams, that of the concept of the developmental state and that of post-socialist transformation. It is argued that China has become a genus of the PSDS model and that this model provides an explanation for the institutional and policy choices of the state leadership during the time of systemic transformation. The concept of post-socialist developmental state is believed to be a normative model, with transferable lessons for underdeveloped countries in systemic transition. For the post-socialist states it is seen as the logical consequence of transformation, which was not employed due to international pressure. For other underdeveloped countries it is offered as a general developmental guidance, valid particularly now when neo-liberalism has been discredited and the criticism of global capitalism is mounting, and there is indeed some space to be less doctrinaire in an attempt to accelerate development. The chapter starts with the examination of the PSDS features. It then continues with the explanation of China's development as a genus of the PSDS model. Finally it examines the model's broader applicability.
Karen Bell
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- September 2014
- ISBN:
- 9781447305941
- eISBN:
- 9781447302933
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447305941.003.0008
- Subject:
- Political Science, Public Policy
China, as a nominally socialist country that is famously beset with serious environmental problems, appears to contradict the theory that it is capitalism that has produced the global ecological ...
More
China, as a nominally socialist country that is famously beset with serious environmental problems, appears to contradict the theory that it is capitalism that has produced the global ecological crisis. Some avoid this conclusion by arguing that China is now, or always has been, a capitalist country, so that there is no inconsistency. Whether or not this is the case is a contentious debate, attracting fiercely opposing views, but most would agree that China certainly no longer conforms to the standard socialist model. This chapter describes how new legislation and collective action have enabled significant improvements in environmental policy making in China over the last decade. However, it also shows how, as in the United States and other countries, the impressive legal and institutional developments have, so far, failed to produce a reasonable level of environmental justice.Less
China, as a nominally socialist country that is famously beset with serious environmental problems, appears to contradict the theory that it is capitalism that has produced the global ecological crisis. Some avoid this conclusion by arguing that China is now, or always has been, a capitalist country, so that there is no inconsistency. Whether or not this is the case is a contentious debate, attracting fiercely opposing views, but most would agree that China certainly no longer conforms to the standard socialist model. This chapter describes how new legislation and collective action have enabled significant improvements in environmental policy making in China over the last decade. However, it also shows how, as in the United States and other countries, the impressive legal and institutional developments have, so far, failed to produce a reasonable level of environmental justice.
