Prof Jude Howell CON. 8.02

This course is available on the CEMS Exchange, MBA Exchange, MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Columbia), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Hertie), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and NUS), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Sciences Po), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Tokyo), MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MPA in Public and Social Policy, MPA in Social Impact, MSc in African Development, MSc in China in Comparative Perspective, MSc in Development Management, MSc in Development Studies, MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies and Master of Public Administration. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Excellent reading and speaking skills ~(IELTS 7 minimum).

This course looks at China from a comparative developmental perspective, locating the discussion of China within the interdisciplinary field of development studies. It examines China's developmental trajectory since 1949, explaining the fundamental shift in developmental path from late 1978 onwards. It considers China's role in the so-called Third World, as a model of innovation, as a voice for developing country concerns and as an important aid donor. It reflects on China's recent achievements in reducing poverty and places these in comparative context. The course considers the governance challenges posed by rapid economic reform, the attempts to reform the Party-state and to manage social tensions. It examines the social dimensions of rapid economic reform and the implications for social policies. It looks at the emergence of NGOs and other forms of civil society organising and considers changing state-society relations. Finally it considers China's role as aid donor and its emergence as a global economic and political power. The course will enable students to obtain an understanding of key developmental issues and discussions about China and to link these discussions to broader debates and theories in development studies.

22 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the MT.

In addition, one introductory seminar session in MT, one essay preparation session in MT and one exam revision session in MT.

Students have the opportunity to receive feedback on a formative essay of 1,500 words. Students will also receive feedback on their seminar performance. Students are welcome to come to course convenor’s office hours to discuss any issues.

Ang Yuen Yuen, 2016, How China Escaped the Poverty Trap, Cornell University



Friedman, Eli 2014, Insurgency Trap. Labour Politics in Post-Socialist China. Cornell University Press.



Harneit-Sievers, A., Marks, S., and Naidu, S., 2010, Chinese and African perspectives on China in Africa, Pambazuka Press;



Howell, Jude, 2003, Governance in China. Rowman and Littlefield Inc., Lanham;



Heilmann, Sebastian and Elizabeth Perry, 2011, Mao’s Invisible Hand: The Political Foundations of Adaptive Governance in China, Harvard University Press Hung, Ho-fung (ed) (2009) China and the Transformation of Global Capitalism. Baltimore, John Hopkins University Press;



Hung, Ho-fung (ed) (2009) China and the Transformation of Global Capitalism. Baltimore, John Hopkins University Press;



Lardy, Nicolas, 2014, Markets Over Mao. The Rise of Private Business in China,Washington, Peter Institute for International Economics;



Leung, Joe C.B. and Yuebin Xu, 2015, China’s Social Welfare. Polity Press, Cambridge.



Yao Shujie, 2005, Economic Growth, Income Distribution and Poverty Reduction in Contemporary China, RoutledgeCurzon, London and New York;



White, Gordon, Jude Howell and Shang Xiaoyuan, 1996, In Search of Civil Society. Market Reform and Social Change in Contemporary China. Oxford University Press, Oxford;



M.H. Whyte (ed), 2009, One Country, Two Societies. Rural/Urban Inequality in China.

Essay (30%, 2500 words) and take home exam (70%) in the LT.

This course will be assessed by an 8 hour take-home exam and 2500 word essay.