I think phrases like, "China’s centralized government direction and resource allocation" mislead Western readers.
They think China has a "top down, centralized government," because it sounds suitably oppressive. But it is none of those.
The rails China runs on are consensual goals, first proposed 2500 years ago – establishing first a xiaokang and then a dàtóng society – and Mao's guiding star.
Knowing that, and having set an auspicious date (2049) for realizing the first goal (a moderately prosperous society with a Gini coefficient like Norway's 0.27) it's just a matter of filling in the blanks.
All 5-year goals drive towards that, and every sub-goal is market tested at the provincial level before rolling out nationally.
That's one reason 78% of Chinese say their government is very responsive to their needs and suggestions. (Pew/Asian Barometer)
I think phrases like, "China’s centralized government direction and resource allocation" mislead Western readers.
They think China has a "top down, centralized government," because it sounds suitably oppressive. But it is none of those.
The rails China runs on are consensual goals, first proposed 2500 years ago – establishing first a xiaokang and then a dàtóng society – and Mao's guiding star.
Knowing that, and having set an auspicious date (2049) for realizing the first goal (a moderately prosperous society with a Gini coefficient like Norway's 0.27) it's just a matter of filling in the blanks.
All 5-year goals drive towards that, and every sub-goal is market tested at the provincial level before rolling out nationally.
That's one reason 78% of Chinese say their government is very responsive to their needs and suggestions. (Pew/Asian Barometer)