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The Operational Logic of Grassroots China
Drawing on on-the-ground research and decades of historical context, *The Operational Logic of Grassroots China* pulls back the curtain on the hidden mechanics of China’s local governance system. From the 'tiao-kuai' (vertical vs. horizontal) power dynamics between central and local governments to the intricate hierarchy of cadre ranks and promotion rules, this book breaks down how policies are crafted, implemented, and adapted at the grassroots level. It uses real-world anecdotes—like a small-town mayor stuck between conflicting bureaucratic demands, or Kunshan’s innovative path to becoming a national development zone—to illustrate trade-offs between central control and local autonomy. It also dives into pressing economic challenges: the rise and fall of land finance, the risks of local government debt, and how e-commerce revives shrinking counties. For anyone seeking to understand how China’s 1.4 billion people are governed, this book offers a clear, accessible guide to the rules, incentives, and tensions shaping daily governance.
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