The Evolution of Vertical and Horizontal Intergovernmental Relations: Perspectives from Tiaokuai Structure in Contemporary China

Authors

  • Chengli Liu China Center for Comparative Politics & Economics at Central Compilation & Translation Bureau, Beijing, China

Keywords:

Tiao-Kuai Relations, department, government, segmentation, integration

Abstract

Government functions are generally carried out via different professional
departments at hierarchical governments in contemporary China. Due to the
unitary system, most departments at higher governments have their
counterparts at lower levels, except for a couple of departments such as the
ministry of foreign affairs. Tiao is thereby formulated to describe the department
with the same function in vertical profile, while Kuai is used to refer to individual
government in horizontal dimension.This article demonstrates that vertical and
horizontal intergovernmental competition driven by multiple forces inspiresTiao-
Kuai segmentation. It is still unclear whether or not the ongoing reforms of
mega-ministries and direct provincial administration of counties can foster the
integration from the status quo of segmentation for the Tiao-Kuai relations.

Author Biography

  • Chengli Liu, China Center for Comparative Politics & Economics at Central Compilation & Translation Bureau, Beijing, China
    research fellow in China Center for Comparative Politics & Economics at Central Compilation & Translation Bureau, Beijing, China. He is also director of editorial office of the Journal of Comparative Economic & Social Systems (in Chinese). Liu earned his doctorate degree in political economy from Renmin University of China in 2010. He was a visiting scholar at the Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago from Dec. 2012 to Dec. 2013. His book manuscript titled Intergovernmental Relations as Intergovernmental Decentralization: Theoretical Exhibition and China’s Experience will appear at Central Compilation and Translation Press. He has authored some papers covering fiscal relations between central-local governments, rural governance in China.

Downloads

Published

2020-09-16

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

The Evolution of Vertical and Horizontal Intergovernmental Relations: Perspectives from Tiaokuai Structure in Contemporary China. (2020). Revista Ética Y Discurso, 1(1), 109-127. https://qellqasqa.com.ar/ojs/index.php/eyd/article/view/405