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| Evan Shepherd |
I recently attended an event hosted by the Center for Asian Democracy
that focused on the continued and growing heterogeneity of the Chinese
state. A heterogenous China sounds like an oxymoron; yet, this lecture
focused on how the continued growth of NGOs has effected the Chinese
state.
The lecture focused on the interaction and transformation of the state
and NGOs on four different levels. The first level is the central
Chinese government. The relationship between the central government and NGOs is one that is largely symbolic. To officially operate as a NGO in China, NGOs must receive a governmental sponsorship; subsequently,
causing many NGOs to operate outside of official recognition. Those NGOs who are officially recognized by the state of China maintain a largely regulatory relationship that helps to legitimize NGO actions within the state.
The second level was referred to as the municipal level of interaction. This level of interaction was again considered largely symbolic as well. Party leadership maintains a grip on government at the municipal level, which means only the official NGOs have interactions with this level of
government. The lack of interaction with the municipal level of government could be partially responsible for the similarity between the central and municipal levels of governments.
The third and possibly the level that maintains the most interaction with NGOs is the district level; however, that interaction is different by district. In the Shanghai district, you see officials reaching out to NGOs to establish relationships. Shanghai district authorities seek to create "model" NGOs for their area; thus, serving a large role in shaping the organizations that peerage within the district. While we see some district officials take an active role, official from the Beijing district take a role similar to that of the central and municipal levels of government. The level of interaction with district officials varies among the rest of the Chinese districts as well.
The final level of government is the local or city level. While the district level may maintain the highest level of interactions, the local governments gain the most from working with NGOs. According to the lecture, local governments receive economic gains through working with various NGOs. Local governments are also the smallest; thus, any assistance in providing services to citizens is welcomed by city officials. While state-sponsored NGOs may not interact with the city level of government often, other organizations functioning as NGOs maintain high levels of interactions with the local level of government.
Whether you consider the Chinese state to be heterogeneous or not, the fact remains I am excited to experience it this summer!
Evan Shepherd, of Madisonville, Ky., is a junior McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville. He is studying political science and business administration.