2025-2026: GPGC5001 Institution and Reform in Contemporary China

This postgraduate course examines the evolution and functioning of political and economic institutions in contemporary China since the late 1970s. Drawing from both classical works and recent research, students will explore how Chinese institutions have adapted to social, economic, and political challenges through various reforms and governance innovations. The course covers key dimensions of institutional development and reform through four interconnected aspects: development, formal and informal institutions, control and resistance, and digital governance. Through these interconnected aspects, students will develop both theoretical understanding and analytical skills to examine institutional dynamics in the Chinese context. The course emphasizes both China’s unique features and broader implications for understanding authoritarian governance and institutional change in comparative politics.