Abstract :
Many analysts contend that participation in the Sichuan
earthquake relief efforts strengthened Chinese civil society. I examine
these claims based on interviews with civil society organizations, academics
and local officials in Sichuan, and argue that participation in relief efforts
has strengthened civil society through increased capacity, publicity and
interaction with local government. Conversely, relief efforts also reveal
weaknesses in civil society and their governing institutions which inhibit
further development, such as the trust and capacity deficit of these organizations.
Participation in relief efforts served as a learning process whereby
government, society and civil society groups learned how to work together
effectively. However, in order to consolidate these gains and further
strengthen civil society, there must be greater institutionalization of these
groups’ roles, increased capacity building, and greater trust between society,
groups and the local state.
On
