New Books in East Asian Studies cover image

New Books in East Asian Studies

Samantha A. Vortherms, "Manipulating Authoritarian Citizenship: Security, Development, and Local Membership in China" (Stanford UP, 2024)

Nov 30, 2024
Samantha A. Vortherms, an assistant professor at UC Irvine, explores the manipulative nature of citizenship in authoritarian China. She delves into the hukou system, revealing how it creates inequality and affects access to resources. Vortherms contrasts internal migrants' challenges with undocumented workers in California, showcasing complex dynamics of inclusion and exclusion. The discussion also highlights urban migration policies and the government's attempts to reform hukou while maintaining regional disparities. Her insights challenge simplistic views of victimhood in society.
01:00:46

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Quick takeaways

  • The Hukou system in China creates a divide between urban and rural residents, impacting access to jobs and social services.
  • Local governments manipulate Hukou policies to balance economic development and social stability, influencing migrant integration outcomes significantly.

Deep dives

The Hukou System: Historical Context and Social Control

The Hukou system, a household registration framework in China, has historical roots dating back to imperial times and was modernized in the 1950s to manage labor within a planned economy. This system effectively designates individuals as either urban or rural residents, linking their access to jobs, education, and social services to their registered location. Through stringent regulations, it initially restricted internal migration, ensuring that people remained tied to their places of production and consumption. Despite recent reforms, the Hukou system continues to reinforce social control, as it dictates access to essential resources and privileges based on one’s hukou status, creating a divide between urban and rural populations.

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