Download or read book Associations and the Chinese State: Contested Spaces written by Jonathan Unger and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2014-12-18 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What role do Chinese popular associations play in the expansion of civil society and democratization? Under Mao few associations were permitted to exist, while today over 200,000 associations are officially recognized. Are they important foundations of civil society, or vehicles for state corporatism and control? In this book leading China specialists examine an interesting range of associations, from business associations to trade unions, to urban homeowners associations, women's groups against domestic violence, and rural NGOs that develop anti-poverty programs. The contributors find different important trends underway in different parts of China's economy and society. Their findings are nuanced, insightful - and often not what might be expected.