Trade Association: Function, Performance and Transition

Abstract:     
In this paper we firstly define the functions of guilds remedying the failure of markets and politics. Secondly, we define the performance of guilds as maintaining the order of contracts and constructing the good order of development of industry. Then, we argue that, in the transition of Chinese economy, the create-mechanism of guilds is a coexistence of tract of administration and tract of market and there is a tendency of combination of these two. In the tract of administration, government sets a system of political control upon guilds and locks the function of guilds in the transition of function of the relevant administrant departments and in the power-granting path, meanwhile, restricted by the polity's vested interests. tract of market is also restricted by the law and executive administrant system. At last, the key of healthy development of guilds is the reform with law and administrant system.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 16

Keywords: trade association, economic transition, order of market, development of industry

JEL Classification: L31 P20 P42

working papers series