Democratic Reform of Management Structures in China's Industrial Enterprises

Abstract

The impact of democratic reform on the power structure of industrial enterprises in the People's Republic of China is examined, drawing on data collected during fieldwork, 1989/90, & interviews with some former employees in 1995. Democratization of enterprise management was an integral part of political reform in China after 1978, but was allowed to proceed only on a limited basis. Limited democratization was found to be satisfactory to all players in the political process. It satisfied workers' expectations of reform & democratic participation, & thereby acted to forestall social instability. It also served as a check & balance for the antireform party state bureaucracy. At the same time, it carried little political threat because the democratization occurred at low enough levels that it would not upset the upper reaches of the party-power hierarchy. D. Generoli.