Everyday Repression in Urban China

This chapter explores the subtleties of governance and repression under the Chinese Communist Party, focusing on how urbanization and non-state actors influence compliance and policy acceptance among citizens. It examines the roles of community members in facilitating state objectives, the use of low-level violence, and the outsourcing of repressive measures to 'thugs-for-hire.' Additionally, it highlights the consequences of aggressive urban development, including tragic incidents that reveal the dark side of rapid city expansion.