Can NPOs convene collaborative governance in China? —a case of addressing complex water conflicts

Abstract

ABSTRACT Collaborative governance is considered to be a promising solution to solve complex public policy problems. However, in authoritarian states, the initiation and organization of collaborative governance can be challenging as it often faces political and practical constraints. In response to these challenges, some enthusiastic local governments experimented using a third party to act as convenors of collaborative governance in China. This article conducted in-depth and longitudinal analyses of the case of NPO-GZ, which was contracted as the convenor for collaborative governance to resolve a water pollution conflict between two villages. The research established some critical conditions for a professional convenor of this nature to succeed in China. This research contributes to the growing literature on the possibility of improving developing collaborative governance in an authoritarian political system.