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The Political Economy of Chinese Development

Module description

In this module, you will grasp the underlying political economy of Chinese development over the past forty years. Firstly, it introduces the history of Chinese economic reform. Secondly, it discusses the relationship between Chinese central and local governments. Thirdly, it presents the relationship between China's government and state-owned firms. Fourth, it studies the relationship between the Chinese government and. Lastly, it examines the relationship between China and global society.

There are no pre-requisite or co-requisite modules required to take this module. This module is suitable for both specialist and non-specialist students and recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module is organized into five parts with the intention of answering the political economy of Chinese development. Each part will be composed of two to three specific topics or policies related to the role of the Chinese government.

The first part will focus on the relationship between the Chinese government and the market, including the marketization reform, as well as economic cycles.

The second part will attempt to disentangle the relationship between the central government and local government from the perspectives of administrative boundary, fiscal, and personnel appointment.

The third part will study the relationship between government and enterprises including SOEs and their reform policy, and industrial policies.

The fourth part will investigate the relationship between government and social issues, including income inequality, urban and rural disparity, and aging society as well as its implications.

The last part will examine the increasing importance of China’s engagements in global society and its meaning for the rest of the world, including the Belt and Road Initiative, new Multilateral Development Banks including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the New Development Bank, the newly-created China International Development Cooperation Agency and the Sino-US relationship.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Define and understand the history and trajectory of the Chinese economic development
• 2. Explore and how a variety of theories and concepts can be used to understand the political economy of Chinese development

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. An understanding of the roles played by government and various key stakeholders in the political economy of development
• 4. A sense for how and why low-income countries may progress into middle income countries and the interplay of political system and economic development

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Demonstrate your critical thinking and analytical work regarding the political economy of development in a rigorous and scientific way, particularly for topics related to Chinese development.
• 6. Will be able to understand and write policy reports for future employee in various sectors related to the political economy of development, particular on China issues.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:

Part 1 History matters

• The history of China’s economic reforms

Part 2 The relationship between central and local governments

• Federalism and Political Incentives of Growth
• The Boundary of Government and Administration

Part 3 Government and private sector

• SOE
• Industrial policy

Part 4 Chinese government and the society

• Low-cost labour and human capital
• Income Inequality

Part 5 China and Globalization

• China’s international development cooperation, including the BRI
• China and the United States

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

The required reading materials will be uploaded to the eLearning system. In addition, below are useful background sources (not required to purchase):

• Acemoglu, Daron, and James A. Robinson. Why nations fail: The origins of power, prosperity, and poverty. Crown Books, 2012.
• Alesina, Alberto, and Enrico Spolaore (2005). The Size of Nations (Chapters 2,9). MIT Press.
• Huang, Yasheng, Capitalism with Chinese Characteristics: Entrepreneurship and the State, Cambridge University Press, 2008.
• Kroeber, Arthur R. China's Economy: What Everyone Needs to Know. Oxford University Press, 2016.
• Perkins, Dwight H. East Asian Development. Harvard University Press, 2013.
• Prasad, Eswar S. Gaining Currency: the Rise of the Renminbi. Oxford University Press, 2016.
• William Easterly, The elusive quest for growth: economists' adventures and misadventures in the tropics. MIT press, 2001.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

The required reading materials will be uploaded to the eLearning system.

Key words search

China; Chinese development; political economy