The quasi-criminalization of a business sector in China

Abstract

This study probes the institutional mechanisms and operational processes that have turned the Chinese construction sector into a quasi-criminal domain during the past two decades. On the basis of its exploratory investigation, the paper tries to make a few generalized empirical observations, which centre on the problem of institution-formation and order under the conditions of a systemic transition from command to market environments. This study is part of a major project on state-rebuilding in transitional China.