Dilemmas of change in Chinese local governance : through the lens of heritage conservation

摘要: The past few decades have seen significant changes and transformations in China, from the ideological, political, legal, social economic perspectives. These lead to argument that regime China now can be labeled as a developmental authoritarian state, which has gradual opening-up of space for associational life. In this context, face rapid development massive construction, local developments witnessed conflict between preserving its intrinsic value need change. particular, there are different actors involved heritage conservation, including government, developer, specialists, media ordinary people. Since notion “a deliberative democracy” was made prominent by Chinese is dilemma pursuit call democratic process decision-making conservation. Thus, follow one small clue, conservation becomes window look into governance. However, little research been done on power structures within how forces interact negotiate transitional economies at level China. Using grounded theory method (Charmaz, 2006), aims explore dilemmas governance through lens investigate interactions key players society. Based theoretical framework networked Bevir Rhodes (2012) their interpretive analysis, study “decentres” providing narratives people, well interactions. A comparative an urban rural case conducted using combination qualitative methods, text in-depth interviews participant observation. The indicates that, facing development, governments employ governing approaches, such “public participation under government leadership”, “the rule law” “ideological cultivation”. I argue re-adapt traditions current response dilemmas. city, increasing importance business enterprises entrepreneurial elite policy decision making. China’s thus features entrepreneurialism shares both commonalities with differences western counterparts. It characterized market regulation official-businessperson collusion, centred land speculation implementing entrepreneurialism. However, countryside, experiences traditions: formal institutional authority grassroots self-governance system informal form generated influence inclusive kinship ties. suggest experiencing “authoritarian deliberation” put forward He Warren (2009), inherited reinforced continuing development. This opens up new discussion democracy survives This also contributes knowledge interpretations actors. As empirical “decentring” approach, explores perspectives, emphasizes traditions, networks theory.