TOWARDS A NON-ZERO-SUM INTERACTIVE FRAMEWORK OF SPATIAL POLITICS - THE CASE OF CENTER-PROVINCE IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA

This paper proposes an interactive, non-zero-sum framework to understa nd an important facet of spatial politics in contemporary China: the c entral-provincial relationship. The 'conventional wisdom' of the field , it is argued, confuses the role of coercion in the exercise of power , and assumes a static, zero-sum central-provincial relationship. Chan ges are merely cyclical, and hopes for genuine changes are pinned on a d hoc factors such as the arrival of 'enlightened' leaders. Drawing on Parsons' insights on the concept of power, the article outlines a new approach which sees the forces of genuine changes as residing within the institutional system. It interprets the central-provincial relatio nship as a non-zero-sum, interactive process of conflicts and compromi ses, whereby genuine changes to the relationship are made.