China's Emerging Civil Society: The Autonomy of NGOs in China

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In 1978 China initiated its policy of "reform and opening", and began thetransition from a planned to a market economy. Since then, the government has recognized the need for a private and voluntary sector to help deal with the socialconsequences of the market reforms. The government has consequently beentransferring some of its functions to an increasing number of so callednongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Some observers see this trend as evidence of an emerging civil society, and look at this development as in the endleading to democracy. Others are more pessimistic.This thesis examines this development and aims to explore the degree ofautonomy that this new group of Chinese NGOs enjoys in relation to the state. The result is somewhat inconclusive. The Chinese society is becomingincreasingly pluralistic and new arenas for participation are opened up as the statewithdraws. At the same time, the government is still exercising a firm control onsociety and NGOs. Still, eviden...