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Politics in China Fall 2009 Thomas D. Lairson Office: Cornell SS 214 |
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China has experienced extraordinary levels of political, economic and social turmoil coupled with breathtaking change over the past century. The end of a dynasty, a civil war, invasion and occupation, revolutionary modernization and extreme political crises, radical reversal from communism to a version of capitalism, and extraordinary rates of economic growth resulting from rapid integration into the world economy: all this and more in the space of 100 years. This course is designed to introduce students to contemporary China with an overview of these developments and a more detailed look at current social, political, economic and environmental issues. This course conveys a broad sense of this historical experience and how it is linked to contemporary issues and problems. For example, the conflict between China and Taiwan is closely linked to the civil war in China and the extended conflict after 1949. Additionally, the combination of Japanese invasion, Cold War, and Cultural Revolution shaped choices by Chinese leaders leading to the radical reorientation of economic policy beginning in 1978. At the same time, some issues are related to problems with little parallel in China’s recent past. Among others, these include: Defining and enforcing economic rules for an entire nation, many of which conflict with traditional culture; addressing an environmental crisis of monumental proportions; adjusting to the social and political tensions generated by rapid economic change; and managing global relations from a newfound position of strength. Goals:
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Required Readings:
June Grasso, Jay Corrin and Michael Kort, Modernization and Revolution in China, M.E. Sharpe, 2009.
Barry Naughton, The Chinese Economy, MIT, 2007.
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Graded Events:
Grade for the Course: There is no curve for the grade in this course; that is, you must meet an absolute standard set by me to succeed in the course. This means everyone can obtain an "A" but everyone can also receive an "F." There is no extra credit in this course. Each student is expected to come prepared to every class and ready to make a contribution to the class period: asking informed questions, offering thoughtful comments, and answering questions posed to the class. |
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Participation/Blog The participation grade
for this course is composed of two parts, in class and outside
of class. Participation outside of class involves contributing to the class blog. This is a website devoted to expressing your ideas about the material in the class and related to the class. I expect each student to make a minimum of 10 posts with a minimum of 1000 words. The blog entries should be related to the topics of this course. The blogs will be evaluated as follows: The best post adds information to class material. For example, a blog could provide a link to a relevant web site plus your analysis of the web site. Or it could describe a relevant book or an article in a newspaper, journal or magazine. It could simply provide an insightful discussion of the topic. The poorest post is perfunctory and done just because you have to, showing little thought and/or a superficial understanding of the topic. This is an opportunity to show an understanding of the material and even to be creative in discussing it. Use it wisely. The blog can be found here: http://politicsinchina.blogspot.com/ Paper: You will have a set of pre-defined topics from which you chose and a set of sources I have chosen that you must use for the paper. Below on this syllabus is a list of many general topics relating to contemporary Chinese politics, along with a set of links to readings. You will chose one of these areas and define a question or issue for research. Your task will be to use this material to write a paper that reviews the question/topic and articulates a conclusion(s). You may also use as many as two additional sources. Each paper is 2500 words or about 10 pages. The papers must conform to standard expectations for originality and proper citation of sources. The papers will be judged on your ability to describe, integrate and suggest other ways of thinking about the issues raised in these readings. More specifically, your task in the paper is to provide a succinct summary of the main issues and questions raised, explain how the ideas of the authors compare, and offer your ideas on the topic. This can include your own interpretations, suggesting new kinds of relevant evidence, and/or your own conclusions. Your paper will also be judged on the completeness of the discussion, the depth of the analysis, the effectiveness of the arguments, and the organization and coherence of the paper. DUE: December 4 @ 5:00pm Expectations for the class: Attendance: You are expected to be in class for each scheduled session, and you must be on time. Class attendance will taken every day. Anyone who misses more than three classes will be penalized by one-twelfth of their FINAL grade for each absence over three. Thus, a student who misses eight classes (equal to one-third of the classes in this course) and who otherwise earns a "C" will in fact receive an "F" for the course. Makeup exams: No makeup exams are given "after the fact," that is, after the exam has occurred unless I have been contacted before the exam. If you miss the exam and have not contacted me before the exam, you will not be able to take a makeup. Classroom behavior: There are several forms of inappropriate behavior in this class. You may not sleep in this class; you may not have extended private conversations in this class; you may not bring food to this class; and you may not get up and leave this class unless you are ill. Rollins College has adopted an academic Honor Code. Students are expected to conduct themselves with complete honesty in all academic work and activities in this course. Violations of the Honor Code include plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized collaboration, submitting work prepared for another course, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty by another student, and violation of test conditions. It is your obligation as a student in this class to learn what these violations entail and to behave accordingly. Ignorance is an unacceptable defense. Violations of the honor include failure in the course and potential dismissal from the college. Late Work: You may NOT turn in work late. ANY WORK TURNED IN AFTER THE DATE AND TIME DUE RECEIVES A ZERO. Classroom Preparation: You should expect to spend several hours preparing for each class. Failing to do so will result a serious negative effect on your final grade. Most important, you will learn much less. You cannot expect the professor to do all the work in class. You can expect to be called on to discuss class material.  THE ACADEMIC HONOR CODE Membership in the student body of Rollins College carries with it an obligation, and requires a commitment, to act with honor in all things. Because academic integrity is fundamental to the pursuit of knowledge and truth and is the heart of the academic life of Rollins College, it is the responsibility of all members of the College community to practice it and to report apparent violations. The following pledge is a binding commitment by the students of Rollins College: The development of the virtues of Honor and Integrity are integral to a Rollins College education and to membership in the Rollins College community. Therefore, I, a student of Rollins College, pledge to show my commitment to these virtues by abstaining from any lying, cheating, or plagiarism in my academic endeavors and by behaving responsibly, respectfully and honorably in my social life and in my relationships with others. This pledge is reinforced
every time a student submits work for academic credit as his/her
own. Students shall add to all papers, quizzes, tests, lab reports,
etc., the following handwritten abbreviated pledge followed by
their signature: Rollins College is committed to equal access and does not discriminate unlawfully against persons with disabilities in its policies, procedures, programs or employment processes. The College recognizes its obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to provide an environment that does not discriminate against persons with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability on this campus and anticipate needing any type of academic accommodations in order to participate in your classes, please make timely arrangements by disclosing this disability in writing to the Disability Services Office at (box 2613) - Thomas P. Johnson Student Resource Center, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park, FL, 37289 or call 407-646-2354 for an appointment. FINAL EXAMINATIONS The 15th week of classes in the fall and spring terms is reserved for final examinations. All courses include a final examination, with possible exceptions for performance, writing, independent study, or seminar courses where other means of evaluation are more appropriate. The final examination must be offered in the time period scheduled in the examination matrix prepared by the Office of Student Records, unless the Dean of the Faculty has approved a change. An alternative period for unusual examination procedures, such as an oral examination, may be used provided the students involved do not thereby encounter conflicts with other scheduled examinations. Tests or examinations may be offered through the 13th week (penultimate) of classes but must not be employed in lieu of a final examination. Final papers, research reports and other similar assignments, except those in lieu of a final examination, should be due before examinations begin to help students avoid conflicts. If a student has more than two final examinations scheduled in one day, s/he has the right to reschedule one examination to an open date within the final examination period. Arrangements will be made through the Dean of Students or program Dean in consultation with the faculty members involved. Department chairs are responsible for overseeing the implementation of the final examination policy. |
Schedule of Activities:
August
25
Introduction to the course
I. China: An Overview
27
Grasso, et al. 3-31
Asia's recent growth
September
II. Western Imperialism and the Collapse of the Qing Dynasty
1
Grasso, et al. 32-64.
III. Civil War
3
Grasso, et al. 65-110
IV. Civil War and World War II in China
8
Grasso, et al. 111-129
IV. The Chinese Economy Under Communism
10,15 and 17
Grasso, et al. 130-188
Naughton, 43-83; 231-240
V. The Cultural Revolution and the Decline of Communism
22
Grasso, et al. 189-218
24
First Exam
VI. China’s Global Strategic and Economic Realignment
29
Grasso, et al. 219-238
Naughton, 85-110; 240-248
October
VII. The Chinese Economy: Technology, Trade and FDI
6
Naughton, 349-372; 375-398; 401-423
VIII. Township and Village Enterprises
15
Naughton, 271-292
IX. Poverty and Inequality
20
Naughton, 209-226; 113-135
X. The Economy and Social Change
22
Naughton, 161-177
27
Second Exam
XI. Energy and the Environment
29 and
November 3
Elizabeth Economy, “The Great Leap Backwards,” Foreign Affairs, September/October 2007
Andrew Revkin, “As China Goes, So Goes Global Warming,” NYT, 12/17/07
Erica Downs, “The Chinese Energy Security Debate,” The China Quarterly, 2004.
Edward McBride, “China’s Quest for Resources,” The Economist, March 13 2008
Naughton, 329-347; 485-504
XII. Corruption
5
Elizabeth Quade, "The Logic of Anticorruption Enforcement Campaigns in Contemporary China"
XII. The Propaganda System in China
10
David Shambaugh, “China’s Propaganda System,” China Journal, 2007.
XIII. Political Change in China
12 and 17
Grasso, et al. 239-258; 277-306
George Gilboy, “Political Reform in China”
Kellee Tsai,"Adaptive Informal Institutions and Endogenous Institutional Change
in China"
XIV. Changes in the Chinese Communist Party
19
XV. China and the World
December
1 and 3
Grasso, et al. 259-276
7
FINAL EXAM
8am - 10am
Paper Topics
Central and Local Government in China
Sebastian Heilmann, "Policy Experimentation in China's Economic Rise,"
Hongbin Cai and Daniel Treisman, "Did Government Decentralization Cause China's Economic
Miracle?"
China and Energy
Hengyu Ma, et al."China's Energy Situation and Its Implications for the New Millennium"
Richard Lester and Edward Steinfeld, "China's Real Energy Crisis"
Trevor Houser, “The Roots of Chinese Oil Investment Abroad,” Asia Policy, 2008
David Zweig and Bi Jianhai, “China’s Hunt for Energy,” Foreign Affairs, 2005.
June Dreyer, “Sino-American Energy Cooperation,” Journal of Contemporary China, 2007.
Environment
Zhang Zhongxiang, “China’s Reds Embrace Green,” Far Eastern Economic Review, 2007
Poverty and Inequality
Guanghua Wan, et al., “Globalization and Regional Income Inequality,” WIDNER, 2004.
Bjorn Gustafsson and Wei Zhong, “Poverty in China,” China Quarterly, 2000.
Shaohua Chin and Martin Ravallion, “China’s Fight Against Poverty,” World Bank Working Papers, 2008.
Foreign Policy
Wu Lei and Shen Qinyu, “Will China Go To War Over Oil?” Far Eastern Economic Review, 2006.
John Mearsheimer, Zbigniew Brzezinski, “The Clash of Titans,” Foreign Policy
Jonathan Spence, “The Once and Future China”
Center for American Progress, “A Progressive Approach to US-China Relations,” August 2008.
Jia Qingguo, “Disrespect and Distrust: Chinese Nationalism,” Journal of Contemporary China, 2005.
Congressional Testimony on China as an Emerging Regional and Technology Power, 2004
Robert Sutter, “China’s Rise: Implications for US Leadership in Asia,” East-West Center, 2006.
Elizabeth Economy, “China’s Rise in Southeast Asia,” Journal of Contemporary China, 2005.
Power Transition and US-China Relations
David Lampton, “What Growing Chinese Power Means for America,” 2005.
Thomas Christensen, “The Rise of China and US Policy Toward East Asia,” International Security, 2006.
Jia Qingguo, “China’s Policy Toward the US,” Journal of Contemporary China, 2005
US-China Economic Relations
Lee Branstetter and C. Fritz Foley, “Facts and Fallacies about US FDI in China,” NBER 2007.
Jean Garrison, “Managing US-China Economic Relations,” Asia Policy, 2007.
Gary Hufbauer and Yee Wong, “China Bashing 2004,” Policy Briefs, 2004.
China - US Financial Relations
Mark Lander, "Dollar Shift: Chinese Pockets Filled as Americans' Emptied"
Michael Wines and Keith Bradsher, "China's Leader Says He Is 'Worried' Over U.S. Treasuries,"
Keith Bradsher, "China Losing Taste for Debt From US"
Keith Bradsher, "China Grows More Picky About Debt"
Yashung Huang, "Global Imbalances and China"
Eric Altbach and Michael Cognato," Understanding China's Sovereign Wealth Fund"
McKinsey Global Institute, "The New Power Brokers: Gaining Clout in
Turbulent Markets"Bibo Liang, "The Political Economy of US Trade Policy Toward China"
Gender in China
David Goodman, “Women in the War of Resistance to Japan, 1937-1945,” China Quarterly, 2000.
Jude Howell, “Women’s Political Participation in China,” Journal of Contemporary China, 2006.
Yang Li and Xi Yin-Sheng, “Married Women’s Rights to Land,” Journal of Contemporary China, 2006.
China and the Global Economy
UNCTAD, “China in a Globalizing World,” 2005
Edward Steinfeld, “China’s Shallow Integration,” World Development, 2004.
David Bach, “China’s Impact on the Global Economy,” IE Working Paper, 2005.
Transnational Firms in China
Yasheng Huang, “Economic Fragmentation and FDI in China,” unpublished paper, 2001
Koichiro Kimura, “China’s Mobile Handset Industry,” IDE Discussion paper 130, December 2007.
China and India
Navi Radjou, “How India and China Redefine the Tech World Order,” Forrester 2005.
OECD, “Is China the New Center for Offshoring of ICT Services?” 2007
L. Alan Winters and Shahid Yusef, China, India and the Global Economy, World Bank, 2007.
Hugo Restall, “India’s Coming Eclipse of China,” Far Eastern Economic Review, 2006.
Yasheng Huang and Tarun Khanna, “Can India Overtake China?” Foreign Policy, 2003.
Village elections
Lianjiang Li, “The Empowering Effect of Village Elections,” Asian Survey, 2003
Kevin O’Brien and Lianjiang Li, “Village Elections in China,” China Quarterly, 2000
Jean Oi and Scott Rozelle, “Elections and Power,” China Quarterly, 2000
Robert Pastor and Qingshan Tan, “The Meaning of China’s Village Elections,” China Quarterly, 2000.
Melanie Manion, “Chinese Democratization at the Township Level,” China Quarterly, 2000.
Rong Hu, “Economic Development and Village Elections,” Journal of Contemporary China, 2005.
The Potential for Democracy
Joseph Fewsmith, “Is Political Reform Ahead?,” China Leadership Monitor.
John McMillan, “Reform: What Pace Works?” Finance and Development, 2004.
Leslie Hook, “The Rise of China’s New Left,” Far Eastern Economic Review, 2007.
Tony Saich, “The Development of Social Organizations in China,” China Quarterly, 2000.