Thomas Heberer

Bio: Thomas Heberer is an academic researcher from University of Duisburg-Essen. The author has contributed to research in topics: China & Politics. The author has an hindex of 17, co-authored 110 publications receiving 1262 citations.

No. 99 (2015): ‘Authoritarian Resilience’ and Effective Policy Implementation in Contemporary China: A Local State Perspective

Abstract: The authors argue that China’s ‘authoritarian resilience’ cannot be fully grasped without adopting a local state perspective to examine the way that policy-making plays out at county level and below. Although local cadre bureaucracies have to obey upper levels, they still have substantial maneuvering space to shape the implementation of policies. Arguably, effective policy implementation is a manifestation and a result of systemic adaptiveness, effectiveness refering to the way that policies are adjusted according to local development blueprints, managed in terms of policy coordination across local government bureaus, experimentation and innovation, regular evaluation, and mobilization of public support. This article is structured as follows: first, it highlights important policy changes and institutional reforms launched by the central government in the early 2000s, which impacted strongly on local state governance and laid the groundwork for effective policy implementation. The authors then focus on the ‘Construction of a New Socialist Countryside’ ‘macro-policy’ as a frame of reference to show how local governments at county and township levels ensure effective policy implementation. It is argued that local cadres act as developmental agents who are able to manoeuver successfully between central state requirements and local needs to ensure that things are getting done ‘on the ground’. Subsequently, we show how local governments interact with and ‘guide’ private entrepreneurs as important stakeholders in implementing local development blueprints and strengthening public goods provision. In the conclusion, the main findings and arguments are summarized.

Strategische Gruppen und Staatskapazität: Das Beispiel der Privatunternehmer in China

Abstract: Der Aufsatz erlautert zunachst den Begriff der "strategischen Gruppen", sodann deren Interessenlagen, ehe er auf die transformatorischen und strategischen Potenziale eingeht. Schlieslich wird erortert, in welcher Weise Unternehmer Staatskapazitat beeinflussen. Dabei geht es nicht darum zu zeigen, wie die Reformen Staatskapazitat verandern, sondern wie eine Akteursgruppe (Privatunternehmer) zu diesem Veranderungsprozess beitragt. Ohne ein Verstandnis von der Rolle sozialer Akteure fur den Wandel von Staatskapazitat muss auch der Wandel des Staates letztlich unklar bleiben. Die zu verifizierende Untersuchungsthese lautet also, dass die strategische(n) Gruppe(n) der Privatunternehmer in signifikantem Mase zur Veranderung staatlicher Strukturen und Kapazitat beitragt bzw. beitragen. Die Strategie der Unternehmer ist dabei interessengeleitet in dem Sinne, dass sie im Interesse der Realisierung ihrer Erwartungen agieren, ohne dass dadurch das politische System grundsatzlich in Frage gestellt oder geschwacht werden muss. In diesem Sinne tragt die Unternehmerschaft dazu bei, Staatskapazitat einerseits zu starken, sie andererseits aber in eine bestimmte Richtung zu lenken. Dabei wird zunachst die Frage der Zielsetzungen und des transformatorischen Potenzials der strategischen Gruppe(n) Unternehmer untersucht, ehe Ruckschlusse auf die Bedeutung des Agierens der Unternehmer im Hinblick auf Staatskapazitat gezogen werden.

No. 90 (2012): Some Reflections on the Current Situation in China

Abstract: The paper examines recent political and social developments in the People’s Republic of China. It highlights some of the principle features in current Chinese politics: fragmentation of both the system and its actors; the role of the Chinese state as a developmental state; the issue of whether the party state exhibits stability and legitimacy. Furthermore, the discourses on political change within Chinese politics and intellectuals are addressed, the preconditions for a stable democracy are discussed and finally the function of the current Chinese state will be assessed.

Feldforschung in Asien: Erlebnisse und Ergebnisse aus der Sicht politikwissenschafticher Ostasienforschung / Institut für Ostasienwissenschaften, Universität Duisburg-Essen

Abstract: The following articles reflect the experiences during field studies in Asia in a very individual and personal way. After a short introduction to the concept of field research several articles about experiences of field studies in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, Pakistan will follow; the authors reflect the difficulties and challenges of their field research in a methodological way.

Democracy and Its Critics

Abstract: The course is focused on historical texts, most of them philosophical. Context for understanding the texts and the course of democratic development will be provided in lecture and discussions, and by some background readings (Dunn). We begin with the remarkable Athenian democracy, and its frequent enemy the Spartan oligarchy. In Athens legislation was passed directly by an assembly of all citizens, and executive officials were selected by lot rather than by competitive election. Athenian oligarchs such as Plato more admired Sparta, and their disdain for the democracy became the judgment of the ages, until well after the modern democratic revolutions. Marsilius of Padua in the early Middle Ages argued for popular sovereignty. The Italian citystates of the Middle Ages did without kings, and looked back to Rome and Greece for republican models. During the English Civil War republicans debated whether the few or the many should be full citizens of the regime. The English, French, and American revolutions struggled with justifying and establishing a representative democracy suitable for a large state, and relied on election rather than lot to select officials. The English established a constitutional monarchy, admired in Europe, and adapted by the Americans in their republican constitution. The American Revolution helped inspire the French, and the French inspired republican and democratic revolution throughout Europe during the 19 century.

Seeing like a State.

Abstract: It’s been a long time since academic discussions about research and teaching were part of the board meetings of the department of Anthropology and Sociology of the University of Amsterdam. Most of our meetings today deal with administrative problems [...]

Campanha de prevenção do câncer bucal em Araraquara: uma iniciativa de extensão consolidada em 11 anos de experiência

Abstract: The authors present the Annual Oral Cancer Campaign of Araraquara promoted by the Oral Medicine Service of the Araraquara Dental School – UNESP. This campaign is an extension activity which, since its beginning, in 1993, has been expanding.The campaign provides background for teaching and research as well as benefits to the regional community. In 1999 this activity was conducted, for the first time, in a public fair visited daily for thousands people. This opportunity, which started in 1999, promoted the expansion of benefits and contributed to legitimate the campaign as an authentic extramural extension activity.

Strong Societies And Weak States State Society Relations And State Capabilities In The Third World

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