Globalization and the local government learning process in post-Mao China

A Transnational Perspective

Bibliographic Data

ID4262869
AuthorsShiuh-Shen Chien (0000-0001-6250-0850, National Taiwan University, corresponding author), Shiuh‐shen Chien, Bing Ho (0000-0002-1856-2234, National Taiwan University)
Year2011
Volume11
Issue3
Pages315-333
Publication date2011-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGlobal Networks (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1470-2266 • E-ISSN: 1471-0374
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1471-0374.2011.00328.x
OpenAlexW2067017537
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited58

Since the 1970s, China has changed from a centrally planned economy to a more open and globalized one. Within this context we ask how, under what circumstances and through what means are local governments able to make policy innovations in upgrading the business environment within their jurisdictions. Theoretically, it is possible to learn policy innovations from the past, from neighbours and from aboard. Leading development regions, like the Yangtze River Delta, are unlikely to learn from either their domestic neighbours or their past communist history. Therefore, they must learn from the experiences of other countries. We argue that this transnational learning process occurs through three different but interrelated mechanisms. These are (1) the personal networks of local officials interacting with foreign investors who are familiar with international business standards of global production networks; (2) institutional alliances in which local officials interact with foreign governments that have co-invested in development zones and joint interests; and (3) hegemonic discourse, wherein local officials interact with foreign consultants who have essential development knowledge. We examine this contention by analysing three empirical cases of local governments in the Yangtze River Delta - Kunshan, which demonstrates the personal network learning mechanism; Suzhou, demonstrating institutional alliance learning; and Shanghai, which exemplifies learning through hegemonic discourse

Alliance · China · Communism · Economic system · Economics · Foreign policy · Globalization · Hegemony · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Sociology · China's Socioeconomic Reforms and Governance · International Development and Aid · Law · Socioeconomic Development in Asia

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