Authority Flowing Downwards? Local Government Entrepreneurship in the Chinese Water Sector

Abstract

"In this study I investigate the factors that shape and enable local governments to evade, modify, or innovate central government policies during implementation. I consider the ability of local governments to undertake any of these three actions as examples of policy entrepreneurship. This study explores how the increase in decentralization in China has affected local government discretion and entrepreneurship in water policy implementation. Many scholars researching China's reforms maintain that the decentralization policies have enhanced local government power and autonomy. But the qualities, limitations, and causes of this enhancement merits a more thorough exploration. In order to address this broad research question, I create an analytical framework to explore the intergovernmental dynamics in Chinese water policy implementation as more responsibilities and authority have been devolved to lower levels of government."