Defining Boundaries of the Relationship: Beijing Migrant Civil Society Organizations and the Government

Abstract:     
This paper will explore the relationships between Beijing’s migrant civil society organizations (CSOs) and the government. It will draw on recent research results and interviews in Beijing with migrant CSOs to better understand the changing nature of state-society relationship. The results of China’s economic liberalization have led to unparalleled rural-urban labor migration. This has created a substantial segment of China’s urban population who are without state protection. Consequently, migrant CSOs have emerged to occupy that space and provide services such as health and training to migrant workers in the urban areas. However, this space where CSOs are working in is restricted by what is allowable by the state. Accordingly, relationships between the state and migrant CSOs would suggest that it reflects state corporatism. The future of China’s civil society development is likely to be state directed due to the limitations placed on civil society organizations.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 18

Keywords: China, civil society, NGOs, migrants, state

Accepted Paper Series