Explaining Political Reform in China’s Provinces: A New Perspective from a “Performance / Faction” Model
Author: Wen-hsuen Tsai
Abstract / Chinese PDF Download
This paper proposes a “performance-faction” model in order to generate acomprehensive explanation of political reforms at the provincial level in mainlandChina. The two primary measures of “performance” are economic development(xiaokang shehui) and social stability (hexie shehui). The initial conditions in eachprovince are important in determining which aspect of performance is prioritized.Generally speaking, poorer provinces tend to seek social stability through personnelreform, while wealthier provinces tend to pursue further economic developmentthrough administrative reforms. The two cases of Sichuan and Guangdong are usedto illustrate this claim. However, Jiangsu provides a contrasting case. AlthoughJiangsu is a wealthy province, it has pushed through personnel reform in response toHu Jintao’s wish to establish a successful example of social stability on the easternseaboard. The paper also argues that provincial leaders pushing through radicalreform all belong to factions controlled by leaders at the center. The patron-clientrelationship between politicians in the central government and provincial governorsis a likely cause of more radical reform at the provincial level. The tendency ofleaders at the center use factional politics as a way of reducing risks associated withreform is also an important characteristic of the “China model”.