Tammy civil society

The State of China’s Environmental Civil Society: 

The State of China’s Environmental Civil Society Tamara Cheng P.R.E.M.I.U.M. 2005 Final Presentation July 6, 2005

What is Civil Society…: 

What is Civil Society… “1) an intermediate associational realm situated between the state and the building blocks of society (individuals, families, and firms); 2)populated by social organizations separate from the state, enjoying a level of autonomy from the state; and 3) Formed voluntarily by people to protect or advance their interests and values”. -Schwartz, Spring 2004, 34 http://www.probeinternational.org/pi/index.cfm?DSP=home

Slide3: 

Government The People/ Businesses Civil Society NGOs/ Think Tanks Social Organizations/ Interest Groups Universities/ Professional Associations Religious Groups/ Cultural Institutions The Media The Media

…and why is it important?: 

…and why is it important? Indicator of a developing country’s “democratic” and “maturity” status China’s uniqueness…transitioning especially the Chinese environmental civil society; Good to know framework within which environ problems must be solved. Friends of Nature http://www.fon.org.cn/english/

Central Questions: 

Central Questions Evaluating China’s non-profit sustainable development and environmental management sector… History Present Condition Functions Relationships: How does ECS fit into the picture, fit into the political and social structures.

Some Qualifications: 

Some Qualifications Although topic is Chinese environmental civil society, primary focus is on ENGOs. http://www.gvbchina.org/

NGO History: 

NGO History Stage 1: 1911-1949: emerged b/c of many social factions and civil strife. Stage 2: 1949-1978:nongovernmental organizations (minjian zuzhi) reorganized according to socialist principles Stage 3: 1978-present: Reform period: “small government, big society”

The place for NGOs: Legal and Literal Status: 

The place for NGOs: Legal and Literal Status The Dual Management System To be an “official NGO” must register with Ministry of Civil Affairs and have a supervising department. Level-Base Management and Non-Competition Principle >

The Current Environmental Management Political Structure: 

The Current Environmental Management Political Structure SEPA Forestry Bureau’s Environ Protect Units Ag’s Environ Protect Unit Prov. Level EPB Prov. Level EPB Prov. Level EPB Mun Level EPB Mun Level EPB Mun Level EPB

The different “types” of NGOs:Traditional ENGOs (domestic): 

The different “types” of NGOs: Traditional ENGOs (domestic) Pros Sponsoring departments can provide services Cons All the restrictions mentioned before (dependence on gov. benevolence) NGOs are constrained by human capitol Access to data on actual conditions Non-confrontational profile Personal status and abilities of lead figures **Lack of funding

EGONGOs: 

EGONGOs Pros Close ties with gov and SEPA, greater access to international environmental NGOs (get more funds?) Cons Can criticize local gov but not central Can’t refuse gov tasks SEPA has influence of budget and salary Limited autonomy overall

Slide12: 

Don’t fall asleep yet…11 more lovely slides to go!

Semi-NGOs: 

Semi-NGOs Pros Protection within the umbrella of university system Access to funding from university and the int’l community Have access to government officials as experts. Cons None really…maybe constrained in policy recommendations????

Networking: 

Networking NGOs can mingle with each other…they just can’t have branch offices. Teaming up with businesses and multinational corporations Get help from Int’l ENGOs. http://www.chinadevelopmentbrief.com/index.asp

Distribution: 

Distribution Major in Beijing Many Many in Yunnan Very few in Inner Mongolia and Shan Dong Very few in Shang Hai Overall concentrated in west, a couple on east coast, almost none in the middle.

Slide16: 

http://nature.org/wherewework/asiapacific/china/work/

Survey Results: 

Survey Results 10. When humans interfere with nature it often produces disastrous consequences. 11. Humans must live in harmony with nature in order to survive. 12. People are severely abusing the environment. 13. We are approaching the limit to the number of people that the earth can support. 14. To maintain a healthy economy we will have to develop a “steady state” economy where industrial growth is controlled. 15. Humans have the right to modify the natural environment to suit their needs.

Other : 

Other Religion Poverty Alleviation http://www.ccap.org.cn/english/index.asp It’s so easy…

Conclusions: To Take Away: 

Conclusions: To Take Away Chinese ENGOs main tasks: educate/enhance public awareness (ie. organize cleaning up campaigns); attract foreign investment…however, is it really working? Chinese NGOs are not confrontational Civil Society in China is not “democratic”, it is not confrontational. www.nature.org

Implications for policy/theory: 

Implications for policy/theory Semi-NGOs are the way to go?

Avenues for Future Research: 

Avenues for Future Research Do a more extensive survey… Maybe look at relationship between income, as well as across ethnic groups, and environmentalism Use minzhu tuanti (people’s organization) instead of fei zhengfu de tuanti (can be anti-government organization)

Special Thanks to…: 

This has been a Tams2 © Production Special Thanks to… NSF for being our Sugar Daddy Drunken Master for his enthusiasm Pouncing Tiger for teaching us how to use the “internet” Rooster Talon for telling Fighting Willow her PP was “too boring”. Stoic Otter for being…stoic Dirty Rat for “Fuctionalism”…whatever…  Easy Dumpling for being Fighting Willow’s favorite roommate and backseat comrade. Dung Beetle for translating…all the time!…and accompanying “someone” to look for Chinese soap operas. Swift Cock for “greenpea” jelly Tumbling Panda for having an odd fascination with stray animals Crouching Crocodile for asking if I’m actually doing my work. Crystal for peeing together in the sand in Inner Mongolia Sara for singing all the time…Jo too for that matter Laura for asking if its pork. Bo…for being Bo. Natalie for enduring all those bumps on the road (literally)