Collective Actions and Governance in China

Collective action is depicted through events leading up to protests, grievances, and petitions.
The practice of collective action has deep roots in Chinese society, dating back to the early 2000s, particularly around 2005 to 2015.

Shanghwa (上访): Refers to the tradition of petitioning government for grievances.
- Illustrated with photos showing citizens outside government offices, expressing dissatisfaction and holding written grievances.
- Common issues include property rights, housing demolitions, and accusations against local authorities.
Modern Context: 2018-2019 saw protests concerning banking issues and local government corruption, particularly in Guangxi province.
- Citizens adapt their actions, targeting provincial governments rather than central authorities to avoid severe crackdowns.

Grievances often arise from land issues or governmental abuses of rights leading families (multiple generations) to protest.
Protests often showcase mixed uses of language, combining traditional and modern elements.
Illustrates how protest evolves and adapts over time, especially due to government responses.

The XinFang system of letters and visits allows citizens to bring complaints to government authorities.
- Originated during the Mao era to encourage citizen-government communication, aimed to alleviate grievances in a non-judicial manner.
- Government offices handle these grievances, but complaints often backfire on local governments due to the high volume of petitions.
- Citizens learned to navigate the system to get their issues addressed through collective rather than individual visits.

Experiential learning over decades has led protesters to target local rather than central government levels.
By not aiming for central authorities, local protests often experience fewer repercussions, including less mass arrest or punishment.

Example of strikes among labor sectors, such as delivery workers, which represent dissatisfaction with corporate practices rather than direct complaints to the government.
Labor protests are often tolerated by the government as long as they do not become politically charged toward state authorities.

Government employs a dual approach: recognizing the legitimacy of grievances while simultaneously limiting the scope of collective actions.
Reception Centers: Established to discourage petitioners from traveling to Beijing, aiming to resolve issues locally without federal interference.
- Often perceived as detention centers for dissent.
Recent tightening of regulations, e.g. social organization regulations, requiring NGOs to have governmental sponsorship.

Emergence of NGOs and social groups intended to serve public interests (health, environment) within state-controlled boundaries.
Increased presence and activism of feminist and rights-based organizations leading to governmental crackdowns and resistance.
- More localized movements are emerging, focusing on specific community issues.

Historical significance of the Tiananmen Square protests as a major political event advocating for democratic reforms, driven by student activism.
The protesters' transformation from individual grievances to a collective political challenge.
Analyzation of major figures like Hu Yaobang, whose death exacerbated unrest, and responses to growing discontent in society.
The event as a critical learning point in China's political history remains a sensitive and restricted topic.

Comparison with modern protests like the Black Paper Movement, showcasing unique expressions and collective actions against governmental control.
Highlighting shifts from large-scale demonstrations to localized symbolic acts of dissent.

Collective actions reflect the changing dynamics of governance and society in China.
Protest strategies evolve in response to governmental policies, influenced by historical events and contemporary issues, emphasizing the complex relationship between citizens and the state.