Urban community-based services in China: tensions in the transitions

摘要: Instead of claiming responsibility in caring for its citizens from cradle to grave, China now emphasizes ‘small government and big society’ allocation social services. In one southwest province China, as a result the urban Community Residents Committee (CRC) Organization Acts 1989, CRC has become core services this region is on front line service delivery. This paper reports results field study at number pilot demonstration sites province. Focus group discussions were conducted order identify characteristics patterns committee members’ experiences. Thematic undergirding future development community-based are identified discussed. Before 1978 economic reform, neighborhood organizations integral parts delivery under Communist planned economy socialist welfare systems China. The centralized provisions trickled down administrative hierarchy central local communities, that primary providers (Xu Jones, 2004). reform since does not only lead fundamental transformation economy, it also bringing about inevitable changes With diminishing job security resulted drastic state owned enterprises, such privatization, reorganization, downsizing, there was collapse safety net traditionally built into employment unit. Chinese embraces concept (Ministry Civil Affairs, P. R. o. C, 2000). New forms have been tested, with hope effective models can be bridging widening gap between increasing demand decreasing state. Instituted through Urban experiment designated entity carrying out an (Zhang, 2001). As well, high expectations movement prompted former Prime Minister Zhu Rongji say communities will foundation new system experiments testing efficacy intensified by late 1990s early 2000s. It desire Ministry charged welfare, evaluate implementation national level Even though how going evolve shape transition rapidly changing society still yet seen. To carry mandate Central government, each expected systematically implement selected before considering large scale implementation. Nevertheless, lack research, especially empirical based studies guiding design response invitation Provincial Affairs Department authors limited informal evaluation investigating experiences interpretations members relation their participation project Since organization implementing experiment, would arguably most important sources shedding light model. article identifying thematic addressed. note ‘end-users’ these communitybased services, ordinary community residents, main target investigation few them briefly contacted during visits after focus discussion. Interpretations should cognizant limitation.