Central-Local Relations in Contemporary China

This book mainly examines the changing process of central-local relations in contemporary China and its connection with urbanization and social development. Based on a large number of empirical surveys and theoretical research, this book points out that the fiscal contract system in the 1980s and the tax-sharing system in the 1990s are key elements in understanding the changes in the relationship between the central and local governments. The fiscal contract system provides incentives for local governments to "run large enterprises" and rapid local industrialization, while the tax-sharing system prompts local governments to shift from "operating enterprises" to "operating land" and "operating cities." This book analyzes the profound impact of changes in central-local relations on local government behavior from two aspects: land index acquisition and urbanization models, providing a more insightful perspective for us to understand the economic and social development of contemporary China.