Chinese Journal of Sociology ›› 2011, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (6): 41-73.

• Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The State-Society Relations in a Crisis: An Investigation of the “Combat against SARS” by Local Communities in Shanghai

Author 1: Keng Shu，School of Public Economics and Administration, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics; Author 2: Hu Yusong, Department of Sociology, Fudan University   

  1. Author 1: Keng Shu，School of Public Economics and Administration, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics; Author 2: Hu Yusong, Department of Sociology, Fudan University
  • Online:2011-11-20 Published:2011-11-20
  • Contact: Keng Shu，School of Public Economics and Administration, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics E-mail:skeng0731@gmail.com
  • About author:Author 1: Keng Shu，School of Public Economics and Administration, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics; Author 2: Hu Yusong, Department of Sociology, Fudan University

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Abstract:

Most of the studies on local governance in urban China conclude that the state has always been dominating the society. However, almost all of them are based on issues not directly related to the interests of the residents, therefore, unable to provide strong evidence for the existence of a dominating state. This study investigated the statesociety relations in the SARS crisis, which had triggered great social fear of a threat to the residents’ lives, in the context of how urban communities in Shanghai dealt with that crisis. We found that the “combat against SARS” in Shanghai was virtually under the control of the state, with the residents playing only a passive, cooperative role. Their initiative participation was very limited. In tactics, the state controlled the channel for “theme construction” through regulating the main media on one hand, and restricted the channel for “sociopolitical participation” with the assistance from community construction on the other hand, the result of which was the state’s legitimacy and controlling power being reinforced and the institutional structure of “a strong state, a weak society” being established in the process of dealing with a crisis.

Key words: statesociety relations, urban community, SARS crisis, media framing, community networks