Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Strategy of Chinese policy entrepreneurs in the third sector: challenges of “Technical Infeasibility”

  • Published:
Policy Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Studies of policy entrepreneurs have become a staple of public policy research. Very few such studies deal with the circumstances of China. This paper aims to remedy this oversight by exploring the mechanisms of policy change in China. Using John Kingdon’s Multiple Streams (MS) Model, the author develops the “Technical Infeasibility Model.” The paper tests the MS model’s applicability to China by examining strategies put forth by Chinese policy entrepreneurs in the third sector. It considers how they may successfully promote change by using a strategy of proposing a relatively radical policy concept that is politically acceptable and technically infeasible to policy makers. To illustrate such a strategy, this paper considers a case of policy change involving Chinese urban vagrants. The policy on “Detention and Repatriation,” which was first implemented in 1982, was challenged following the Sun Zhigang Incident in March 2003. Shortly thereafter law scholars filed two suggestion letters to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee calling for a constitutionality review of the Detention and Repatriation System. Though it was “technically infeasible” to air such a proposal in China at that time, the State Council initiated action to abolish certain provisions of the Detention and Repatriation System. However, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee did not conduct a constitutionality review.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

Notes

  1. For more on this case, see sohu.com. (http://business.sohu.com/s2006/yiliaogg/).

  2. These two proposals can be seen at the following websites: http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20030522/xw/shxw/200305220822.asp and http://www.legaltheory.com.cn/info.asp?id=3891.

  3. http://www.healthbbs.net/dispbbs.asp?boardID=79&ID=64827.

  4. http://news.huash.com/gb/news/2003-12/26/content_732932.htm.

  5. http://www.china.com.cn/chinese/PI-c/590373.htm.

  6. http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2004-08/10/content_1752258.htm.

References

  • 1611 ren qingqiu weixian shencha, huyu xiugai gongwuyuan zhaokao jinling ‘1611 People appeal for constitutionality review, call for amendment of civil service admission prohibitions’ [Electronic Version]. Beijing News, November 26, 2003.

  • Minjian ‘Hugan Diyiren’ Shangshu Zongli, Disitian Jiuhuo Fankui ‘Civilian “The first person for HBV carrier” petition to premier, receive response four days later’ [Electronic Version]. Jiangnan Times, September 20, 2004.

  • Wu zanzhuzheng bei shourong san ri hou siwang, daxue shengming sang Guangzhou ‘Dead three days after being detained for not having a temporary residence permit: A university student’s life is lost in Guangzhou’ [Electronic Version]. Beijing Youth Daily, April 26, 2003.

  • Yi daxue biyesheng yin wu zanzhuzheng bei shourong bing zao duda zhisi ‘A university graduate is detained because he did not have a temporary residence card and is beaten to death’ [Electronic Version]. Nanfang City Daily, April 25, 2003.

  • Baumgartner, F. R., & Jones, B. D. (1993). Agendas and instability in American politics. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cao, L. (2003). Feichang zeren weihu xianfa quanwei ‘Special responsibility to uphold the authority of the constitution’ [Electronic Version]. Guangming Daily, June 6, 2003.

  • Chan, H. S. (2004). Cadre personnel management in China: The Nomenklatura system, 1990–1998. The China Quarterly, 179, 703–734.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Q. (2003). Zhejiang daxue xuesheng sharenan yinfa gongzhong dui gongwuyuan luyong biaozhun zhiyi ‘Zhejiang university student murder case causes public to call into question civil service employment standards’ [Electronic Version]. Legal Daily, October 27, 2003.

  • Cheng, G. (2001). Shourongsuo li ta bei ‘guanli banzhang’ ouda zhisi ‘He was beaten to death by a “squad leader” in the DRP’ [Electronic Version]. China Youth Daily, September 24, 2003.

  • Cui, L. (2003). San Gongmin Shangshu Renda Jianyi Dui Shourong Banfa Jinxing Weixian Shencha ‘Three citizens submit an appeal to the national people’s congress proposing that the NPC conduct constitutionality review of the custody and repatriation measures’ [Electronic Version]. China Youth Daily, May 16, 2003.

  • Daley, A. (1997). Markets, states, and public policies: Privatization in Britain and France, (book review). The American Political Science Review, 91, 998–999.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eckholm, E. (2003). Petitioners urge China to enforce legal rights [Electronic Version]. New York Times, June 2, 2003, A1.

  • Exworthy, M., & Powell, M. (2004). Big windows and little windows: Implementation in the ‘congested state’. Public Administration, 82, 263–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fewsmith, J. (2003). The sixteenth national party congress: The succession that didn’t happen. The China Quarterly, 173, 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldman, M. (1996). Politically-engaged intellectuals in the Deng-Jiang Era: A changing relationship with the party-state. The China Quarterly, 145, 35–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldman, M. (1999). The emergence of politically independent intellectuals. In M. Goldman & R. MacFarquhar (Eds.), The Paradox of China’s Post-Mao reforms. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guo, Z. (2004). Dismantling discrimination [Electronic Version]. China Daily, March 9, 2004.

  • Hand, K. J. (2007). Using law for a righteous purpose: The Sun Zhigang incident and evolving forms of citizen action in the People’s Republic of China. Columbia Journal of Transnational Law, 45, 114–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • He, W. (2003). Observing the development of law in China through the Sun Zhigang incident. Retrieved June 10, 2003, from http://www.jcrb.com/zyw/n131/ca72252.htm.

  • Hill, M. J. (2003). Understanding Social Policy. Oxford: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houston, D. J., Jr, & Richardson, L. E. (2000). The politics of air bag safety: A competition among problem definitions. Policy Studies Journal, 28, 485–501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howard, C. (2001). Bureaucrats in the social policy process: Administrative policy entrepreneurs and the case of working nation. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 60, 56–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howlett, M. (1998). Predictable and unpredictable policy windows: Institutional and exogenous correlates of Canadian federal agenda-setting. Canadian Journal of Political Science, 31, 495–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, X. (2002a). Sustainable development strategy and the reform of urban population administration. In Research Society of Shanghai Police (Ed.), Shehui Zhi’an Ji Jingwu Gongzuo Yanjiu Lunwen Xuanji(1995–2000, ‘Analects of researches on social public security and police (1995–2000)’ (pp. 315–321). Shanghai: Donghua University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, J. (2002b). Hu Jintao qiangdiao jinyibu shuli xianfa yishi yu quanwei ‘Hu Jintao stressed progressively establishing constitutional consciousness and authority’. Retrieved December 4, 2002, from http://Chinanews.com.

  • Ikenberry, J. G. (1990). The international spread of privatization policies: Inducements, learning, and policy bandwagoning. In E. N. Suleiman & J. Waterbury (Eds.), The political economy of public reform and privatization (pp. 88–110). Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • John, P. (2003). Is there life after policy streams, advocacy coalitions, and punctuations: Using evolutionary theory to explain policy change? The Policy Studies Journal, 31, 481–498.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keeler, J. T. S. (1993). Opening the window for reform: Mandates, crises, and extraordinary policy-making. Comparative Political Studies, 25, 433–486.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kendall, J. (2000). The mainstreaming of the third sector into public policy in England in the late 1990s: Whys and wherefores. Policy and Politics, 28, 541–562.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King, P., & Roberts, N. (1987). Policy entrepreneurs: Catalysts for policy innovation. Journal of State Government, 60, 172–179.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kingdon, J. (1984). Agendas, alternatives, and public polices. Boston, MA: Little Brown.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kingdon, J. (1995). Agendas, alternatives, and public polices. New York, NY: Harper Collins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levin, M. A., & Sanger, M. B. (1994). Making government work: How entrepreneurial executives turn bright ideas into real results. San Francisco, CA: Josey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, E. (1980). Public entrepreneurship: Toward a theory of bureaucratic political power. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liebman, B. L. (2005). Watchdog or demagogue? The media in the Chinese legal system. Columbia Law Review, 105, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, W. (2001). A strong young man’s Uncanny death in DRP [Electronic Version]. China Youth Daily, August 27, 2001.

  • Lin, W., You, C., & Huang, S. (2000). Who made this law case of extremely cruel rape by turns [Electronic Version]. China Youth Daily, July 26, 2000.

  • Ling, G., & Han, J. (2002). How dark it is behind the detaining and repatriating system? [Electronic Version]. People’s Public Security Newspaper, July 2.

  • Liu, R. (2000). The detaining and repatriating system violates the law of the People’s Republic of China on legislation [Electronic Version]. China Youth Daily, August 4, 2000.

  • Liu, X., & Chen, J. (2003). Zhanzhuzheng: Yanguobamao yinlai minyuan feiteng ‘Temporary residence certification makes complaint by people’. Outlook, 44, 14–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma, N. (2003). Experts: The provisions for salvation and administration full of solicitude [Electronic Version]. China Youth Daily, June 23, 2003.

  • Meng, B. (2003). Query the detaining and repatriating system at the sixth time [Electronic Version]. Nanfang City Daily, May 27, 2003.

  • Mintrom, M. (1997). Policy entrepreneurs and the diffusion of innovation. American Journal of Political Science, 41, 738–770.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mintrom, M. (2000). Policy entrepreneurs and school choice. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mintrom, M., & Vergari, S. (1996). Advocacy coalitions, policy entrepreneurs, and policy change. Policy Studies Journal, 24, 420–434.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mucciaroni, G. (1992). The garbage can model and the study of policy making: A critique. Polity, 24, 459–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nie, L. (2003). “Sun Zhigang shijian” yu weixian shencha zhidu ‘The “Sun Zhigang incident” and China’s constitutionality review system’. Outlook Weekly, 22, 50–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien, K. (1990). Reform without liberalization: China’s national people’s congress and the politics of institutional change. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paler, L. (2005). China’s legislation law and the making of a more orderly and representative legislative system. The China Quarterly, 182, 301–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Potter, P. B. (2001). The Chinese legal system. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quan, G. (1999). Zhongguominzhen gongzuo quanshu ‘Full book of Chinese civil administration’. Beijing: China Broadcasting and TV Press. (In Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rabe, B. G. (1996). An empirical examination of innovations in integrated environmental management: The case of the Great Lakes Basin. Public Administration Review, 56, 372–381.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rochefort, D. A., & Cobb, R. W. (Eds.). (1994). The politics of problem definition: Shaping the policy agenda. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabatier, P. A. (1988). An advocacy coalition framework of policy change and the role of policy-oriented learning therein. Policy Sciences, 21, 129–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sabatier, P. A. (Ed.). (1999). Theories of the policy process. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabatier, P. A., & Jenkins-Smith, H. (1993). Policy change and learning: An advocacy coalition approach. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, M., Teske, P., & Mintron, M. (1995). Public entrepreneurs: Agents for change in American government. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schon, D. A. (1971). Beyond the stable state. New York, NY: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, G. M. (2000). The role of public input in state welfare policymaking. Policy Studies Journal, 28, 707–720.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shou, B. (2001). Shourong: yixiang jiuji zhidu ruhe bianxing ‘Detaining: How a rescue institution changed’ [Electronic Version]. Nanfang Weekend, December 13, 2001.

  • Smith, J. A. (1991). The idea brokers: Think tanks and the rise of the new policy elite. New York: The Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Song, Z. (2000). Zhongguo gong’an da baikequanshu ‘Great cyclopaedia of Chinese public security’. Changchun: People’s Press of Lilin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steiner, H. A. (1959). Ideology and politics in communist China. Contemporary China and the Chinese. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 321, 29–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, J. (2003). Sun Zhigang zhi si zhenxiang ‘The truth of death of sun Zhigang’. China News Weekly, 135, 18–26 (June 16).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanner, M. S. (1999). The politics of lawmaking in China: Institutions, processes, and democratic prospects. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teng, B. (2003). Sun Zhigang shijian: bei taolun de he bei huibi de ‘The Sun Zhigang case: What was discussed and what was evaded’. Retrieved September 23, 2003, from http://law-thinker.com/.

  • Teske, P. (1994). The bureaucratic entrepreneur: The case of city managers. Public Administration Review, 54, 311–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tong, Z. (2003). Sun Zhigang An Tichu De Jige Xueli Wenti ‘Some theoretical issues brought from Sun Zhigang case’. Fa Xue ‘Legal Science, 7, 3–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Travis, R., & Zahariadis, N. (2002). A multiple streams model of U.S. foreign aid policy. Policy Studies Journal, 30, 495–514.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J. (2005). Guowuyuan Yanjiu Jigou Cheng Woguo Yigai Gongzuo Jiben Bu Chenggong ‘Research institute of state council announces that China’s health policy reform is almost a failure’ [Electronic Version]. China Youth Daily, July 29, 2005.

  • Wang, S. (2008). Changing models of China’s policy agenda setting. Modern China, 34, 56–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, L., & Xiang, X. (2003). Bei Shourongzhe Sun Zhigang Zhi Si ‘The death of Detainee Sun Zhigang’ [Electronic Version]. Nanfang City Daily, April 25, 2003.

  • Weir, M. (1992). Innovation and boundaries in American employment policy. Political Science Quarterly, 107, 249–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, B. D., & Peake, J. S. (1998). The dynamics of foreign policy agenda setting. The American Political Science Review, 92, 173–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao, H. (2002). Zhongguo fazhi xianzhuang sumiao ‘Sketch of Status in quo on administration by law’. Retrieved September 23 2002 from http://law-thinker.com/.

  • Yang, D. (2000). Yiqi shourongzhan taowang shijian de diaocha ‘A survey of escaping from DPS’ [Electronic Version]. China Youth Daily, September 6, 2000.

  • Zahariadis, N. (1992). To sell or not to sell? Telecommunications policy in Britain and France. Journal of Public Policy, 12, 355–376.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zahariadis, N. (1995a). Comparing lenses in comparative public policy. Policy Studies Journal, 23, 378–382.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zahariadis, N. (1995b). Markets, states, and public policies: Privatization in Britain and France. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zahariadis, N., & Christopher, A. (1995). Ideas, networks, and policy streams: Privatization in Britain and Germany. Policy Studies Review, 14, 71–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Z., Dai, Y., & Jiang, L. (2001). Dixue de shourong: lianyuan qiansongzhan bu jiaoqian jiu huohuo dasi ‘Bloody detaining: Some one was beaten to death in DRP due not to pay fee in Lianyuan Town’ [Electronic Version]. San Xiang City Daily, September 24, 2001.

  • Zhao, L. (2003). Liuqi jiuzhu banfa de juice licheng ‘The decision-making process of the provisions for salvation and administration to urban vagrants and beggars’ [Electronic Version]. Nanfang Daily, June 26, 2003.

  • Zheng, Y., & Wu, G. (2005). Information technology, public space, and collective action in China. Comparative Political studies, 38, 507–536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, X. (2006). From ‘Detention and Repatriation’ to ‘Salvation and Administration’: A policy change towards the urban vagrants and mendicants in China. Overseas development institute. Retrieved June, 5 2006 from http://www.odi.org.uk/RAPID/projects/PPA0104/constitutional.html.

Download references

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Dan Guttman, Xue Lan, Wang Zhengxu, Bi Jianhai, Guo Liangping, Thomas Kellogg, and anonymous reviewers for commenting on earlier drafts of this paper. The early version of this article was also presented at The 67th Annual American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) National Conference in April 2006. This research was sponsored by Management Science Program of National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (70673042).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zhou Enlai School of Government, Naikai University, The 5th floor, Fansun Building, Tianjin, 300071, People’s Republic of China

    Xufeng Zhu

Authors
  1. Xufeng Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xufeng Zhu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zhu, X. Strategy of Chinese policy entrepreneurs in the third sector: challenges of “Technical Infeasibility”. Policy Sci 41, 315–334 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-008-9070-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-008-9070-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation