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Exploring the Agency-Structure Dynamics in State–Society Relations in Contemporary China: The Case of Securitisation of the Environmental Sector

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  • Justin Joseph

    (Doctoral Scholar, China Studies Centre, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras, Chennai, India sulthanjustin@gmail.com)

Abstract

Based on the data from the 13-month field visit spread over two trips (September 2016 to December 2016 and September 2017 to July 2018), this study highlights how securitisation efforts from the central government interact with environmental non-governmental organisation (ENGO) activism and advocacy in China, producing diverse outcomes across temporal and spatial dimensions. The trajectory of state–society relations in the context of environmental governance depends on (a) the ability of party-state to control ‘new media’ activism and manage ENGO advocacy to ‘maintain stability/rule by law’ and (b) ability of the assemblage of media activism and ENGO advocacy, along with other agents, to support the transition from ‘rule by law’ to ‘rule of law’. The overall findings are discussed in the context of the ‘Copenhagen School’ framework in International Relations Theory to examine the process of securitisation in the environmental sector in China. The securitising actor (the one who leads the process of securitisation such as States), referent object (the object under existential threat, i.e. human nature harmony) and functional actors (those who support or oppose the process of securitisation, i.e. ENGOs) are the major players involved.

Suggested Citation

  • Justin Joseph, 2020. "Exploring the Agency-Structure Dynamics in State–Society Relations in Contemporary China: The Case of Securitisation of the Environmental Sector," China Report, , vol. 56(2), pages 182-203, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:chnrpt:v:56:y:2020:i:2:p:182-203
    DOI: 10.1177/0009445520916873
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Peter Ho, 2001. "Greening Without Conflict? Environmentalism, NGOs and Civil Society in China," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 32(5), pages 893-921, November.
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