NGO Strategies in an Authoritarian State: Chinese ENGOs, Tactical Cooperation and Personal Networks

• In Event: 254 - Section on Environment and Technology Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 13. Social Movements

Abstract

In contrast to other sectors, Chinese environmental NGOs (ENGOs) have been unusually successful. This is due to the particular relationship that Chinese ENGOs have with the state. The Chinese party-state takes the threat of environmental problems very seriously. However, different segments of the Chinese party-state value environmental protection differently, leading to tensions between government organizations and inadequate resources for environmental work. In response to these limitations, the strategy of environmentally-minded officials has been to outsource the costs of environmental protection as much as possible. Chinese state actors cooperate enthusiastically with the international community so that foreign foundations and other international funding sources end up paying for a large part of China’s environmental work. At the same time, state agencies partner with ENGOs, both domestic and foreign, so that they do a substantial amount of the work necessary for environmental protection. Chinese ENGOs develop tactical partnerships with state actors to take advantage of this situation.
However, Chinese social entrepreneurs can only capitalize if they have the right personal connections.s Indeed, a significant number of China’s most influential environmental NGOs can be traced back to a high-status group of friends, classmates, and coworkers with connections to important state organizations, as well as relationships to international foundations.

Author

• Carolyn L. Hsu, Colgate University