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Shifting Strategies: The Politics of Radical Change in Provincial Development Policy in China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 January 2022

John A. Donaldson Open the ORCID record for John A. Donaldson [Opens in a new window]  and
Xiaotao Yang Open the ORCID record for Xiaotao Yang [Opens in a new window]
John A. Donaldson
Affiliation:
Singapore Management University, Singapore. Email: jdonaldson@smu.edu.sg.
Xiaotao Yang
Affiliation:
Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. Email: yangxiaotao@gmail.com (corresponding author).
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Abstract

Why do provincial governments change policy, even when those policies have proven successful? This paper explores a debate regarding the determinants of provincial policy choice and the degree of discretion provinces are permitted in this area. It does so by scrutinizing the shift in Guizhou's development policy from a poverty reduction orientation to a wholehearted pursuit of economic growth, urbanization and industrialization. In contrast to those who argue that central experience, prospects for promotion or local conditions are key factors explaining policy choice, the paper concludes that Guizhou's shift in policy had more to do with the backgrounds and experiences of top provincial leaders. The result has implications for our understanding of central–local relations and local government decision making.

摘要

摘要

为什么省级政府会改变一些已实践成功的政策? 本文主要围绕有关省级政策决策及省级政府决策自主性的影响因素争论展开。文章详细分析了贵州省发展战略的转变——从扶贫为导向转为全面追求经济增长、城镇化、与产业化。目前许多学者认为政策转变取决于中央实验、地方官员谋求晋升、或本地条件等主导因素。本文挑战上述观点，认为贵州省的政策转变实际上与省级高层领导人的背景与工作经验密切相关。本研究的结果将有助于增进对中央—地方关系以及地方政府决策过程的认识。

Keywords

Guizhoudevelopment strategycentral–local relationslocal politicswest China贵州发展战略中央与地方关系地方政治中国西部
Type
Research Article
Information
The China Quarterly , Volume 249 , March 2022 , pp. 139 - 159
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of SOAS University of London

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