The Logic of Governance in Contemporary China

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Contemporary China presents many puzzles for the social sciences: Recurring cycles of centralization and decentralization, a strong state coexists with considerable variations across localities, the prevalence of informal institutions in Chinese bureaucracy, and high mobilizational capacities accompanied with bureaucratic inertia. The goal of this course is to examine stable patterns of behaviors - individual and organizational - and the underlying logics of governance in contemporary China. Drawing on a rich literature of direct observation and empirical research in the post-Mao era, this course discusses a set of analytical concepts and theoretical models and apply them to interpret a wide range of social and organizational phenomena in China, and to consider their implications for the future of China. NOTE: Same as INTLPOL 224C, SOC 216, SOC 116. Students may not earn credit for both OSPBEIJ 45 and INTLPOL 224C, SOC 216, SOC 116.