Learning by doing: the case of administrative policy transfer in China

ABSTRACT

This article explores of the role of policy transfer in facilitating the rise and consolidation of the ‘Reform and Open Door Policy' in China. It builds upon the seminal Dolowitz and Marsh [Dolowitz, D., and D. Marsh. 1996. “Who Learns What From Whom: A Review of the Policy Transfer Literature.” Political Studies 44: 343–357; Dolowitz, D., and D. Marsh. 2000. “Learning from Abroad: The Role of Policy Transfer in Contemporary Policy-Making.” Governance 13 (1): 5–23] framework to provide an examination of processes of administrative policy transfer which it argues are broadly indicative of the dynamics of change underpinning the incremental process of reform. It is observed that the reforms under study have not been characterized by rational policy design underpinned by evidence-based policy-making in which issues of cultural assimilation were emphasized. Rather, the implementation process itself has been used to affect processes of adaptation. Policy transfer in China can best be described as learning by doing.

KEYWORDS:

• China
• incrementalism
• implementation
• policy transfer
• Reform and Open Door Policy

Notes on contributor

Yanzhe Zhang, Research fellow, Australia-China Centre of Public Administration and Governance at Northeastern University, China. Email: [email protected]

David Marsh, Professor of Governance, Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australia. Email: [email protected]

Notes

1. Deng is often quoted as referring to a ‘white’ rather than a ‘yellow’ cat in this celebrated speech, but this quote is taken from the original text of the speech which can be found in Deng's village museum in Paifang in Sichuan Province.

2. See: The Whole Story of Foreign Affairs. Volume 25 (Tongzhi period). Zhong Hua Book Company Press, 1964.

3. See: The Collective Works of Zheng Guanji. Western Science, Shanghai People Press, 1982.

4. See: The Westernization Movement and China's Modernization. Shandong Press, 2001.