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 Authoritarianism: resilient, fragmented, deliberative
1.3 The role of technocracy
1.4 Interest groups and lobbying in China

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

2.1 Quantitative research in the social sciences
2.2 Qualitative research in the social sciences
2.3 Research using primary and secondary sources

3. Case studies

3.1 Interdisciplinary research for China's sustainability

1. Carlson, Allen, Gallagher, Mary E., Lieberthal, Kenneth, Manion, Melanie (Eds.) 2010. Contemporary Chinese Politics. New Sources, Methods, and Field Strategies. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Disponibile anche in e-book: http://www.amazon.com/Contemporary-Chinese-Politics-Sources-Strategies/dp/0521155762

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

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

4. 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

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

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

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

Testi facoltativi:

1. Corbetta, Piergiorgio. 1999. Metodologia e tecniche della ricerca sociale. Bologna (Italia): Il Mulino.

Written and oral, composed by the following parts:
1. Written exam, consisting of 9 closed-answer questions (max. 18 points).
2. Research proposal consistent with the subject of the course. Both teamwork and individual work allowed (max. 12 points)

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

Italian

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Natural capital and environmental quality" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development