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Spatial governmentality and the rhetoric of scarce resources: ‘Scientific and reasonable’ points systems in Shenzhen (China)

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  • Anne-Christine Trémon

Abstract

Since the early 2010s, all Chinese megacities have adopted points systems that allow ordinary people to apply for urban citizenship (hukou) in the city where they live. Although intended for applicants other than ‘talents’, points systems are highly selective. They are used to adjust urban population growth to economic development and to available resources. Based on research in Shenzhen, and combining Foucault and Gramsci, this article makes three arguments: first, points systems intensify the hukou system’s spatial governmentality, in that they set up a competition for scarce resources that shapes self-governing urban citizens; second, they are justified in ways that seek to produce consent, by giving them uncontestable grounding in science; and third, the gap between their proclaimed benefits and their actual, complex workings gives rise to critique, and even class-based critique.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne-Christine Trémon, 2025. "Spatial governmentality and the rhetoric of scarce resources: ‘Scientific and reasonable’ points systems in Shenzhen (China)," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 57(2-3), pages 269-286, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:57:y:2025:i:2-3:p:269-286
    DOI: 10.1177/0308518X241286335
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    4. Li Zhang, 2012. "Economic Migration and Urban Citizenship in China: The Role of Points Systems," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 38(3), pages 503-533, September.
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