Christof Lammer, "Performing State Boundaries: Food Networks, Democratic Bureaucracy and China" (Berghahn, 2024)
Apr 22, 2025
01:42:23
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Quick takeaways
Christof Lammer's book examines the interplay between food networks and bureaucratic processes in rural China, highlighting state and non-state interactions.
The podcast emphasizes the role of participatory approaches in social welfare programs, revealing tensions between community involvement and state authority.
Lammer's exploration of ecological agriculture underscores the challenges farmers face in balancing sustainable practices with governmental expectations and market demands.
Deep dives
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Christoph Lamer's Research Insights
Christoph Lamer's book, 'Performing State Boundaries', offers an in-depth examination of the food networks and bureaucratic processes in rural China, focusing on the dynamics between state and non-state actors. His findings reveal how traditional practices intersect with new agricultural policies, highlighting the complexities of local governance and the role of cooperative movements in fostering ecological agriculture. By utilizing ethnographic methods, Lamer uncovers the nuanced ways in which community identities and state interactions shape social policies. His work brings to light the intricate balance between state authority and grassroots movements within China's evolving political landscape.
Food Networks and Their Societal Implications
The podcast discusses how food networks in rural China are deeply intertwined with sociopolitical mechanisms and community development. These networks, shaped by historical movements such as the new rural reconstruction, illustrate how local organizations strive to improve agricultural practices while promoting social welfare. Lamer emphasizes the importance of concepts like peasant cooperatives, which aim not only to boost economic outcomes but also to address cultural and social needs within rural communities. This highlights a shift from purely market-driven initiatives to more holistic approaches that prioritize community well-being.
The Intersection of Ecology and Agricultural Practices
Ecological agriculture is positioned as a critical counterpoint to conventional agricultural methods, emphasizing sustainability and a harmonious relationship with nature. Lamer's exploration of the differences between organic and ecological farming reveals the complexities faced by farmers, as they navigate state certifications and market pressures. Through his discussions with local agronomists, he exemplifies the challenges of fostering alternative agricultural practices while contending with governmental expectations and consumer perceptions. This perspective on agriculture underscores the evolving definitions of what sustainable farming means in the context of modern China.
Bureaucratic Processes and Community Involvement
The democratic involvement of citizens in bureaucratic processes, particularly concerning social welfare programs like the rural minimum livelihood allowance (Dibao), illuminates the shifting boundaries between state authority and community responsibility. Lamer details how participatory approaches to administering social benefits can reveal both solidarity and tension within communities. The effectiveness and trust in these processes can be heavily influenced by local dynamics and historical narratives surrounding kinship and resource allocation. This scrutiny provides valuable insights into how social policies are not only formulated but also enacted and experienced at the grassroots level.
On the podcast today I am joined by Christof Lammer, a social anthropologist based at the University of Klagenfurt and inherit fellow at Humboldt University of Berlin. Christof is joining me to talk about his new book,Performing State Boundaries: Food Networks, Democratic Bureaucracy and China published in Open Access by Berghahn Books in 2024.
The book delves into intricate political processes in an eco-village in Sichuan, revealing the multiple ways in which the boundary between state and non-state is performed. It shows how, in these performances, competing images of the Chinese state’s authoritarian, socialist and cultural otherness are mobilized to shape social policy and the transition to ecological agriculture in unexpected ways. Scholars working on China or the anthropology of the state more generally will find the book eye-opening, with its rich theoretical discussions and deep analytical insights, all based on fine-grained ethnography.
Performing State Boundaries: Food Networks, Democratic Bureaucracy and China is Open Access and available to download free on the Berghahn Books website.
