Local participatory innovations and experts as political entrepreneurs: The case of China's democracy consultants

What is it about?

This article introduces the concept democracy consultant. These are experts that engage in the development of local participatory innovations in China. In collaboration with local governments they provide important knowledge, connections and legitimacy to the local government which improves the chances for the participatory innovation to develop and institutionalize. They may also work as bridges betwen local and central levels of government.

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Why is it important?

It is important to understand how political governance changes may take place despite China's authoritarian political system. Participatory innovations develop in order to handle complex governance problems. Such problems will continue to exist in China and we should expect local governments as well as experts to continue to engage in finding innovative ways to handle these challenges. This should not be seen as signs of democratization however, but as efforts to improve the Party's governing capacity.