Political globalisation and the politics of international non-governmentalorganisations: The case of village democracy in China

Although there is a body of research regarding the development of village s elf-governance in China, there is only limited research regarding the activ ity of international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in relation to t his development. The paper fills this gap through an analysis of the activi ties and effects of the village self-governance programs of three American- based NGOs: the International Republican Institute (IRI), the Carter Center and the Ford Foundation. These NGOs have assisted in the implementation of a number of reforms to village self-governance in China. NGO involvement i n village democracy in China exemplifies a process of 'political globalisat ion' that involves the intermingling of layers of power and interests at th e national and international levels. The paper concludes that, through this process of political globalisation, rural political reforms in China are b oth promoted and exploited by national and international political actors.