The Council on East Asian Studies 64th Edward H. Hume Memorial Lecture in Chinese Studies presents
Jean C. Oi - William Haas Professor of Chinese Politics in the Department of Political Science, Senior Fellow of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI), Stanford University:
“The Evolution of China’s Development Model.”
Local governments in China are saddled with unprecedented levels of debt, and economic growth is the slowest it has been in decades. What does this imply for China’s development model? In her past work, Professor Jean Oi coined the term “local state corporatism” (LSC) to describe the behavior of local governments acting as entrepreneurs to spearhead local state development, which was a key driver of China’s economic takeoff. Recent economic data indicates that the outlook for China’s continued growth is gloomy, as multiple provinces missed their GDP targets last year. Yet, despite this downturn, some provinces maintained high rates of growth. What explains their success? Is LSC still alive and well?
Based on her recent fieldwork in China, Professor Oi will share her findings about the new strategies, both domestic and international, that different Chinese counties and cities are employing in their pursuit of growth. These findings suggest that a “LSC 2.0” system is emerging, but this new model faces even greater challenges amid changed domestic and international contexts.
A reception will follow the lecture in the Luce Common Room (2nd Floor).