Implementation Evaluation and Sustainable Development of China’s Religious Charity Policy

Abstract

This paper discusses the comprehensiveness of religious policy content, the feasibility of implementation, and factors that affect the impact of policy implementation. Since the reform and opening up in 1978, China’s religious charities have been in a period of organizational reconstruction, and the government exercises legal administration over religious affairs, forming a dual administrative management model: the central and local government and the civil affairs department and religious department, forming the preliminary implementation framework of religious policy. Currently, government policy implementation regarding religious charity activities adopts a "policy-centered, top-down" approach in an attempt to create a clear path toward policy implementation. Using the Smith policy implementation process model, combined with field research in three cities in the Shandong province, this study finds multiple limitations deterring religious charity policy execution, including: (a) government policy texts that are not comprehensive; (b) unclear responsibilities of government departments; and (c) sensitive political and social environments. There is still a long way to ensure the smooth implementation of religious charity policies.