Localizing Inclusive Institutions: Adaptive Governance in China

December 5, 2013

The common wisdom is that in the post-Mao years China has experienced unprecedented developments from the grassroots level to the  high echelons of power. Some observers cling to examples of minor achievements in political opening to bolster far flung claims that China is on a gradual path toward political liberalization. Such pundits, mired in now … More Localizing Inclusive Institutions: Adaptive Governance in China

American Prisons versus the World Population

November 14, 2013

The United States of America has the highest incarceration rate in the world. With 716 people in prison for every 100,000, according to the International Centre for Prison Studies, that is a higher percentage of total population than any other country. Furthermore, based on a new report by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), A … More American Prisons versus the World Population

Interactive Labor Contention China Map

September 25, 2013

This interactive map of China catalogs labor unrest and offers a quantitative view into the geography and grievance base of labor rights resistance. The good folks down at China Labour Bulletin have been working hard to produce an interactive map updated and full of useful information for tracking and understanding labor contention in China. The … More Interactive Labor Contention China Map

In Hong Kong, Protests Against New Citizen’s Movement Crackdown

September 23, 2013

As the government of China continues its crackdown on civil society actors, especially those who have publicly endorsed or claimed membership in the New Citizen’s Movement, human rights activists gathered in Hong Kong to do something many like minded Chinese citizens are forbidden from doing within the Chinese mainland under the 1989 Law on Assemblies, … More In Hong Kong, Protests Against New Citizen’s Movement Crackdown

Fundamental Rights

September 7, 2013

The following list of fundamental human rights is taken from Jack Donnelly‘s book International Human Rights, 2007 p. 7. This compilation of fundamental rights is based on the key articles and substance of the three documents that make up what has become known as the International Bill of Human Rights. Namely, these are the Universal Declaration … More Fundamental Rights

Florentia Village: Pastiche halfway between Beijing and Tianjin

August 29, 2013

Out along the high speed rail lines, somewhere between Beijing and Tianjin is the Italian themed outlet mall Florentia Village. The pastiche of Roman, Venetian, Florentine and Chinese styles, facades, walkways, and faces is replete with a miniature canal ride fit for a low budget Disneyland ride, a pizza chain, and Costa coffee. The stores … More Florentia Village: Pastiche halfway between Beijing and Tianjin

Toothless Tigers in the Subway: An Animal Rights Campaign in China

August 6, 2013

Amid the usual frenetic pulsing throngs of passing subway patrons, Beijing denizens and tourists rushing from the sliding doors of subway cars to be the first ones up the escalator to make their connections or meetings, I examined my reflection in a glass partition waiting for the train to pass. After the train rushed away, … More Toothless Tigers in the Subway: An Animal Rights Campaign in China

The US and China on International Human Rights Instruments

August 2, 2013

China and the United States met on 30 and 31 July in the capital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, affectionately known as the city of eternal Spring, to hold the 18th US – China Human Rights Dialogue. The US press statement noted, ‘The Human Rights Dialogue provides an important opportunity to elaborate on our concerns about … More The US and China on International Human Rights Instruments