Civil Society in China: How Society Speaks to the State

This book provides valuable insights into Chinese civil society's interaction with the central government, highlighting the limitations of civil society and the importance of meaning-making in communication with the government.
This book offers in-depth, first-hand data on Chinese civil society's interaction with the central government, based on extensive fieldwork and rich empirical data. It highlights the limitations of civil society and the importance of meaning-making in communication with the government, particularly in the context of recent developments such as the Charity Law, the Law on Overseas NGOs, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 148 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive and insightful book delves into the intricate dynamics between Chinese civil society and the central government, offering a wealth of firsthand data and empirical research. Given the challenges of conducting fieldwork in China in recent years, the rarity of a book that relies on extensive fieldwork and rich empirical evidence is noteworthy.

Written by an academic and a former staff member of a Chinese NGO, the book provides a unique perspective on the limitations and challenges faced by civil society in China. Through their firsthand experience, the authors shed light on the legitimacy crisis that many researchers have overlooked or underestimated in their work.

The book covers the most recent developments in Chinese civil society since Xi Jinping assumed office, focusing on the impact of key laws and policies such as the Charity Law, the Law on Overseas NGOs, and the recent developments in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, labor movement, and COVID-19. By examining these developments, the book demonstrates the evolving landscape of civil society in China and its complex interactions with the government.

Previous research on Chinese civil society has often focused on material and institutional factors to explain the success or failure of NGOs. However, this book goes beyond that, highlighting the power of meaning-making in civil society group communication with the government. The authors argue that social movements theorists should not only consider how civil society organizations and movement leaders frame their arguments to resonate with the population but also how they frame their arguments toward the ruling elite to influence policies.

This book is a valuable contribution to the field of Chinese studies and civil society research, offering a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between civil society and the state in China. It will be of interest to scholars, researchers, and policymakers alike, as it provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing civil society in a rapidly changing political and social landscape.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367502744