Varieties of State Regulation: How China Regulates Its Socialist Market Economy

Yukyung Yeo's book "Varieties of State Regulation" explores how the Chinese central party-state oversees the most strategic sectors of its economy, transforming the state into a regulator since the 1990s. The book demonstrates that central state control varies across sectors depending on state ownership, conception of control, and governing structure. It compares the regulation of the automobile industry with the telecommunications industry and examines how the central party-state maintains regulatory authority over key local state-owned enterprises. The book presents the evolution and current practice of state regulation in China and examines its compatibility with other contemporary government practices.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 220 pages
\n Publication date: 30 October 2020
\n Publisher: Harvard University, Asia Center
\n

In Varieties of State Regulation, Yukyung Yeo delves into the intricate dynamics between China's growing integration into the global market and the enduring influence of the Chinese central party-state over the most strategic sectors of its economy. Since the 1990s, a significant shift has occurred, as major state firms have been spun off from the ministries that previously managed them under the central planning system. This transformation has fundamentally altered the nature of the state's role in governing the economy, evolving into that of a regulator.

To explore this transformation in depth, Yeo conducted over 100 in-depth interviews with a diverse range of stakeholders, including central and local officials, firms, scholars, journalists, and consultants. The book offers a comprehensive analysis of central state control across leading industrial sectors, shedding light on the varying forms of control and governing structures employed. By examining and comparing institutional dynamics across different sectors, Yeo elucidates the nuances and complexities of China's regulation of its economy.

One particularly insightful aspect of the book is its comparison of the regulation of the automobile industry, characterized by its relative decentralization, with the highly centralized telecommunications industry. Yeo demonstrates how the central party-state maintains regulatory authority over key local state-owned enterprises, ensuring that the interests of the state are safeguarded in these critical sectors.

Through its historical and comparative analysis, Varieties of State Regulation provides a valuable perspective on the evolution and current practice of state regulation in China. It examines the interplay between state intervention and market forces, exploring how China has navigated the challenges of economic development while maintaining its political control. The book also raises important questions about the compatibility of state regulation with other contemporary government practices, particularly in the context of global economic integration.

In conclusion, Varieties of State Regulation is a groundbreaking work that offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the complex relationship between state regulation and economic development in China. By drawing on a wealth of empirical evidence and engaging in thoughtful analysis, Yeo provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the Chinese political economy and its implications for the broader global landscape.

\n Weight: 308g\n
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 15 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780674247864\n \n