Chinese Journal of Sociology

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Connection Link or Attachment Tool: Literature Review on the Research of China’s Business Associations During the Transition Period

  

  1. ZHANG Hua，School of Government，Yatsen University；School of Management，Guangxi University for Nationality
  • Online:2015-05-20 Published:2015-05-20
  • Contact: ZHANG Hua，School of Government，Yatsen University；School of Management，Guangxi University for Nationality E-mail:1719385261@qq.com

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Abstract: Civil Society theory and Corporatism theory are two mainstream perspectives of studying contemporary Chinese industry associations. These theories represent two different approaches of the industry associations after China’s economic reform. Based on the perspective of statesocial relations, civil society theory emphasizes the influence of market development, while the corporatism is concerned with the special relationship between association, state and market. In addition to the above two perspectives, Clientelism theory suggests that we should focus on the operation of the real power, rather than statesocial relations. This viewpoint argues that due to the imperfect market and government intervention, associations are still embedded within the governmental institutions. Clientelism theory provides individual approach and important explanatory variables in the study of business association in contemporary China. It also provides different point of view to reveal the relationship between different elements of the development of associationsmarket development, state intervention and enterprises’ collective actions. The study of industry association is a central issue of Chinese political economy. The government capacity and influence of economy shape the activities of the business enterprises, which in turn shape the formation and development process of society, therefore calls attention to the increasing need for the study of industry associations.

Key words: civil society , business association , clientelism , corporatism