POLITICS AND SOCIETY OF CONTEMPORARY CHINA

This course contributes to (a) strengthen students' understanding of State-society relations post-Mao China; and (b) to enable students to conduct further, independent inquiry over State-society relations, in China and beyond. This course is framed upon theoretical concepts and analytical tools employed in the field of political science, and to some extent in sociology and anthropology.

Students are expected to (a) achieve an in-depth and detailed understanding of the relational dynamics between the individual, interest groups, and State authorities in post-Mao China; (b) to master key theories utilized by political scientists to explain the evolution of State-society relations since the 1970s; and (c) to master the analytical concepts and tools informing qualitative and quantitative research in the field of political science, with particular reference to China.

Enrollment in the relevant MA course.

1. Theoretical paradigms relevant to State-society relations in contemporary China

1.1 Democratic transition
1.2 Different shades of authoritarianism
1.3 The theory and practice of technocracy
1.4 Interest groups and lobbying

2. Research methods for the inquiry of State-society relations in contemporary China

2.1 Quantitative methods
2.2 Qualitative methods
2.3 Interdisciplinary research

Please be mindful that this reading list is going to be updated before the start of the II semester!

Deng Guosheng, Kennedy, Scott 2010. “Big Business and Industry Association Lobbying in China: The Paradox of Contrasting Styles,” China Journal, 63: 101-125.

Fukuyama, Francis 2018. "Trent'anni dopo, ritorno su La fine della storia?" Vita e pensiero, 3, 10-21.

He Baogang, Warren, Mark E. 2010. "Authoritarian Deliberation: The Deliberative Turn in Chinese Political Development". Available at: http://www.politics.ubc.ca/fileadmin/user_upload/poli_sci/Faculty/warren/Authortarian_Deliberation_POP_October_2010.pdf

Huntington, Samuel. 1991. “Democracy’s Third Wave”, The Journal of Democracy, 2(2), 12-34.

Liu Yongmu 2016. "The Benefits of Technocracy in China", Issues in Science and Technology, XXXIII (1), online

Mertha, Andrew. 2009. "Fragmented Authoritarianism 2.0": Political Pluralization in the Chinese Policy Process", The China Quarterly, 200, 995-1012.

Teets, Jessica C. 2013. "Let Many Civil Societies Bloom: The Rise of Consultative Authoritarianism in China", The China Quarterly, 213, 19–38. Doi:10.1017/S0305741012001269

Research paper consistent with the subject of the course.

Frontal teaching. If the number of students will allow it, group laboratories will be held within the course.

Italian

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