Towards a neoliberal third sector? International lessons from recent developments in China

Abstract

This article, drawing on exploratory data from a recent consultancy project, illuminates development in the Chinese third sector through the lens of what is currently underway in more advanced Western societies. Scrutinizing the setup of the sector with respect to social service-providing nonprofits, it argues that worldwide trends towards a neoliberal approach take centre stage here. The result is selective social performance and poor associational underpinnings. However, the analysis also hints at ambiguities in the overall evolution.