China’s path to modernization,which embodies a unique developmental model characterized by high-quality development,common prosperity,harmony with nature,and peaceful coexistence,is a multifaceted process that advanc...China’s path to modernization,which embodies a unique developmental model characterized by high-quality development,common prosperity,harmony with nature,and peaceful coexistence,is a multifaceted process that advances progress on multiple fronts.This paper applies two analytical lenses to the study of intergovernmental fiscal relations:multi-level governance,where different levels of government interact,and multi-objective decision-making,where multiple goals are pursued simultaneously.From this perspective,it puts forward three core propositions.First,the evolution of fiscal relations is shaped primarily by the central government’s need to balance incentivization,coordination,and control.Second,these relations are constrained by objective factors such as the output elasticity of loacl government actions,cost coefficients,externalities,and uncertainty.Third,the effectiveness of both central and local governments depends on the design of fiscal relations,as well as on their objectives,the output elasticity of actions,and costs.In essence,effective intergovernmental fiscal relations require a balance between centralized leadership and local initiative.Using this framework,the paper examines how changes in China’s fiscal system have influenced modernization across different historical periods,offering a theoretical model tailored to China’s national context.展开更多
Universal access to China＇s social welfare system involves a process of diffusion from localities to the whole country on the basis of social policy innovations in which intergovernmental relations play a key role as...Universal access to China＇s social welfare system involves a process of diffusion from localities to the whole country on the basis of social policy innovations in which intergovernmental relations play a key role as a facilitator. The rapid establishment of the urban subsistence allowance system in more than 200 cities throughout the country in seven years （1993-1999） serves as a case for our empirical analysis of the diffusion mechanism of social policy innovations at different levels of government. Our findings show, firstly, that in adopting a new social policy, city governments have to respond to the social desire of local citizens while keeping fiscal constraints in mind; at the same time, they are affected by administrative orders from higher-level governments and the vertical fiscal relations between governments at different levels, and are also subject to competitive pressures from other cities at the same level. Secondly, city governments＇ policy innovations offer an opportunity for higher levels of government to learn from their experience. Thirdly, central government orders exert both a direct and indirect influence upon city governments, with provincial orders acting as intermediaries. And lastly, there is a clear difference in the time lag effect of orders from the central government and those at provincial level upon city governments＇ policy adoption.展开更多
基金supported by the General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(Grant No.72373148).
文摘China’s path to modernization,which embodies a unique developmental model characterized by high-quality development,common prosperity,harmony with nature,and peaceful coexistence,is a multifaceted process that advances progress on multiple fronts.This paper applies two analytical lenses to the study of intergovernmental fiscal relations:multi-level governance,where different levels of government interact,and multi-objective decision-making,where multiple goals are pursued simultaneously.From this perspective,it puts forward three core propositions.First,the evolution of fiscal relations is shaped primarily by the central government’s need to balance incentivization,coordination,and control.Second,these relations are constrained by objective factors such as the output elasticity of loacl government actions,cost coefficients,externalities,and uncertainty.Third,the effectiveness of both central and local governments depends on the design of fiscal relations,as well as on their objectives,the output elasticity of actions,and costs.In essence,effective intergovernmental fiscal relations require a balance between centralized leadership and local initiative.Using this framework,the paper examines how changes in China’s fiscal system have influenced modernization across different historical periods,offering a theoretical model tailored to China’s national context.
文摘Universal access to China＇s social welfare system involves a process of diffusion from localities to the whole country on the basis of social policy innovations in which intergovernmental relations play a key role as a facilitator. The rapid establishment of the urban subsistence allowance system in more than 200 cities throughout the country in seven years （1993-1999） serves as a case for our empirical analysis of the diffusion mechanism of social policy innovations at different levels of government. Our findings show, firstly, that in adopting a new social policy, city governments have to respond to the social desire of local citizens while keeping fiscal constraints in mind; at the same time, they are affected by administrative orders from higher-level governments and the vertical fiscal relations between governments at different levels, and are also subject to competitive pressures from other cities at the same level. Secondly, city governments＇ policy innovations offer an opportunity for higher levels of government to learn from their experience. Thirdly, central government orders exert both a direct and indirect influence upon city governments, with provincial orders acting as intermediaries. And lastly, there is a clear difference in the time lag effect of orders from the central government and those at provincial level upon city governments＇ policy adoption.
