Author Description

This book, based on extensive original research including survey research in the Chinese countryside, examines how market reforms and the changing nature of the Chinese state have made a huge impact on how ordinary Chinese people in rural areas relate to authority. The book explores the nature of leadership, "followership" and authority. It argues that recent changes in China are bringing about a less authoritarian, more egalitarian style of leadership where superior-subordinate relationships based on formal hierarchical structures are being replaced by a style of leadership characterised by mutual trust and non-coercion, where the leader directs, arouses, engages and satisfies the motives and intentions of the led. It goes on to argue that this different style of leadership is having profound consequences, widely, for social cohesion, good governance, and efficiency in economic production and service provision. Moreover, the book concludes, this changed relationship between citizens and officials is highly pertinent to the future political development of China overall, with the potential to bring about very significant changes.