Title:
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The evolution of a tortuous relationship : the transformation of
Chinese state-society relations explored through grassroots NGOS
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This thesis examines the ongoing transformation of China's state-society relationship
by exploring the changing roles of, and relationships between, the state and grassroots
NGOs. It is based on findings from over a year of empirical research undertaken at
grassroots NGOs; thorough readings of core Party and government documents to
investigate changes in attitudes from the top; and my subsequent work with many of
these social actors over the years after my initial research period, adding a temporal
dimension (2011-2015) to the study. Extended periods of participant observation
allowed me to examine the finest details of the work of grassroots NGOs and their
relationships with local state bodies, enabling me to develop an understanding of 'the
quiet approach', which, I argue, is important in shaping the transformation of the
state-society relationship. Analysis of past and recent state documents and institutions
helped me to frame the behaviour of NGOs within the macro context of the
transforming attitude of the state towards social organizing and society governing
society. The temporal dimension was crucial in discerning the wave-like fluctuations
that I found to characterize the transformation of the state-society relationship.
Existing research often adopts either a bottom-up approach, viewing change as being
created by social forces, or a top-down approach, viewing state forces as limiting,
controlling and manipulating change. Ultimately, this thesis argues that the
transformation" of the state-society relationship is a combination of these forces
reacting to and engaging with one another: as state attitudes fluctuate, NGOs can
respond by tempering their behaviour; by tempering their behaviour and laying low
during times of 'down-waves' they incrementally build their own capacity, making
themselves increasingly necessary to the state; through acting' quietly' they encourage
the state to trust them; and as the state trusts and needs them more, NGOs become
more irreversibly integrated into service provision and governance.
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