The City as the Focus: The Analysis of Contemporary Chinese Urban Politics

Abstract

In the past, the study of cities too often played a supporting role in the field of Chinese politics. In recent years, scholars have increasingly placed various aspects of urban politics in the analytical spotlight. This article begins by outlining why urban politics is important in the study of China and ends by discussing how a discrete focus on urban politics can promote the integration of China into broader debates in political science. In between, it critically reviews some of the leading works and trends in subliteratures covering the functioning of city governments, the politics of various urban social groups, city case studies, and urban institutions and organizations.