LUIGI TOMBA

In transito? Riforme, continuità e tecniche di governo in Cina

213

Settembre-Dicembre 2006

Anno LXXI    n. 3

Summary - This article reviews changes in the governmental strategies of the Chinese government and argues that the adoption of flexible forms of governance to control and responsibilize the population is an important component of the Chinese regime’s resilience. In particular the article concentrates on: a) the strategy of flexible governance in urban areas, where increasing stratification requires the local governments to work to contain conflicts among both disgruntled workers or rural migrants and right-aware middle-classes; and b) the attempt to co-opt emerging wealthy and educated groups in the responsible management of the nation and the preservation of social order. The main conclusion is that through these governance practices, and the propagation of an ethical discourse of citizens’ “quality” the Chinese Government is favouring the emergence of new citizens who incorporate both the “autonomy” necessary for them to be consumer in the marketplace and the “responsibility” necessary to maintain social stability.