Do party-states transform by learning? The structural background of the different transformation paths in view of the Romanian, Hungarian and Chinese cases

Through the introduction of a comparative party-state model, I will first demonstrate that due to specific structural and dynamic constraints, the capacity of party-states to learn is both limited and uneven. Differences in the room for manoeuvre are defined by structural and dynamic specifics of power distribution. These will determine the invariable implementation of structurespecific instruments of resource extraction and distribution and their escalation under external pressure no matter the requirements of adaptation. Accelerated implementation of structure-specific instruments leads to different paths of self-destruction rather than adaptation. Adaptation is therefore structurally constrained and self-consuming in party-states. Second,these theoretical arguments will be empirically demonstrated through the economic policy efforts to adapt to market pressures in three radically different party-states - Romania, Hungary by the end of the 1980s and China from early 1990s.party-state systems, communist systems, comparative partystate model, patterns of power distribution, transformation paths, reforms, collapse, Romania, Hungary, China

Varieties of System Transformations and Their Structural Background Based on the IPS Model

This study is the theoretical chapter of a planned book. This book, aims to contribute to the theoretical foundations of similarities and differences in the transformation of party-state systems. Analytical framework of system transformation is based on the extension of the Interactive Party State model (Csan di, 2006) where specifics of the structure and operation of party-state systems and structural background of their disparities were described and analyzed. Self-similarities and disparities of transformation and path-dependency of the variety of systemic outcomes are assigned to structural characteristics of power distribution of party-state systems interpreted as networks. The empirical part of the book uses the Chinese case to test this theory, measuring the dynamics of system transformation, the consequences of short- and long-term external adaptation pressures on the system transformation and long-term consequences of the short-term reactions to these pressures and their spatial disparities. This research was supported by the National Research Foundation in Hungary.system transformation, economic transformation political transformation, sequence of transformation, disparities of transformation, varieties of system outcomes, party-state network

Institutional Reactions to the Impact of Global Crisis at Source and Destination Cities of Migration in China

This paper relates on the impact of global crisis on China from a systemic point of view. In what ways external and internal adaptation pressures influenced the transformation of the party-state system in China? Did reactions have an impact on the transformation of political or economic system? The purpose of our small field research was to respond to this question by examining institutional reactions to crisis from late 2008 to late 2009. We have examined the common and disparate characteristics of institutional adaptation at prefecture level at sources and destination cities of migration. We have also tried to detect their common or different sensitivity to crisis analyzing the periods before, during and after the crisis. We shall reflect on the reasons of prevailing political stability despite sudden large unemployment, and substantial economic, social and political impact on the party-state system. The paper uses interviews in 13 prefectures and newspaper analysis of 16 prefectures from mid 2008 to the end of 2009 complemented by available relevant statistical data.system transformation, global crisis, migration, economic policy reactions,prefectures

Budget constraints in party-states nested in power relations: the key to different paths of transformation

This paper revisits the widely known and used concept of soft budget constraints in party-states introduced by Kornai (1980), from the point of view of a comparative analytical model (Csanádi, 2003). It embeds budget constraints in the structure of power relations described by the model as the interactive structure of interrelations between party-, state- and economic decision-makers on the level of individual actors. In this respect, we argue, that soft budget constraints will acquire several new structure-specific traits presented in the paper that are worth to consider. The new properties of budget constraints nested in power relations will define the selectively soft and hard constraints of self-reproduction of the net. The distribution of power will define the dynamics of reproduction of the structure as a whole. The differences in the distribution of power will be responsible for the frequency of its hardening reproduction constraints. Soft and hard reproduction constraints and its dynamics in different power distributions will contribute to several theoretical conclusions concerning the selfsimilarities and structural differences in the operation and different paths of disintegration, collapse and transformations of party-states.communism, socialism, party-state system, comparative model, soft budget constraint, selectivity, reproduction constraints, disintegration, collapse, transformation

Transformation of the Chinese party-state at prefecture and county level

The study describes the acceleration of the disintegration and withdrawal of the party-state network and transformation of the system on national level, and empirically surveys the impact of the hardening reproduction constraints of the party-state network since 1994 in three Chinese prefectures and six counties. We track the reactions to the hardening reproduction constraints at these levels and the consequences of these reactions on the transformation of the party-state network at those levels. We make an effort to demonstrate the differences in impact, reactions and consequences among the given administrative levels and between them. We also try to detect how does this process change the relationship among the actors within the net (party-state and economic decision-makers) and between those within and outside the net. The survey is based on the implementation of the Interactive Party-State model (Csanádi, 1997, 2003) that serves as a device and approach for comparative empirical analysis. The surveyed prefectures and counties provided a test-field for the postulates of the model. More than 70 interviews with provincial, prefecture and county level party- and state officials, different level statistics, national and local level documents and secondary sources forged the raw material for the study.

Global crisis and its implications on the political transformation in China

This paper analyzes the impact of global financial and economic crisis on the process of system transformation in China. First, it details the direct impact of global growth on macroeconomic development and its indirect impact on economic transformation. Second, it analyzes the direct impact of global crisis on macroeconomic decline and its indirect impact on the prospects of political transformation. The paper builds on the basic principles and ideas of the Interactive Party-State model to introduce the concept of transformation dynamics. This concept implies the direction and speed of change of the retreating party-state sphere and the emergence of the field outside of it during the process of transformation. Using this concept a statistical survey was carried out on the economic transformation of the Chinese party-state. Results reveal the disparities of the dynamics of transformation in time, in space, and at different levels of aggregation between 1999 and 2004. A dominant type of transformation dynamics is revealed during this period and the shift of dominant type within that period, sensitive to the trend of certain economic indicators. Based on those findings, the paper projects the dominance of another type of transformation dynamics as a result of the consequences of global crisis. It also outlines the possible impact of this dynamics on the premises of political transformation.system transformation, China, economic transformation, political transformation, spatial disparities in system transformation

Reactions to Short-Term Adaptation Pressures During Transformation in Party-States: The Case of China

How do external and internal adaptation pressures influence the transformation of the party-state system in China? How susceptible is the Chinese systemtransformation to those impacts? This paper deals with the sensitivity of the transformation process on the short-term under different external conditions: both during the period of global economic growth and the period of global crisis. Our approach is institutional and systemic, in view of the postulates of the Interactive Party-State (IPS) model (Csan di, 2006). We shall conclude that the transformation process demonstrates sensitivity to short-term impacts that cause fluctuations in the direction and speed of the transformation process both during growth and decline. Moreover, we shall reveal that sensitivity to- and consequences of internal and external adaptation pressures show different spatial characteristics.party-state model, short-term shocks, system transformation, global crisis, migration, economic policy reactions, prefectures

The metamorphosis of the communist party: from entity to system and from system towards an entity

A complex analytical framework, the Interactive Party state model (IPS), is offered for revealing the structural and dynamic background of opposite processes: first, the development of the communist party as a political entity into a politically monopolized regime and then to a social system; second, the retreat of the party as a social system towards a politically monopolized regime or a political entity during the process of transformation into another system. We shall point to the fact that it is the structural background of the differences of the transformation process that brings about the different sequence of the retreat of the party as a social system from economic or political sub-fields first. The different sequence will be accompanied by different economic conditions for political transformation contributing to the complete or partial retreat of the party to either a political entity or to an authoritarian political regime.party-state systems, social system evolution, differences among partystates, varieties of capitalism, path-dependencies in system transformation

The „Chinese style reforms” and the Hungarian „Goulash Communism”

Similarities and differences will be demonstrated between Chinese and Hungarian party-state systems. We define the role of reforms in the self-reproduction of both party-states. We shall demonstrate how different patterns of power distribution lead to the implementation of different reforms. We shall describe how these different reforms have created the Hungarian “Goulash communism” and the “Chinese style” reforms. We shall also explain the conditions that have lead “Goulash communism” to political transformation first in Hungary accompanied by economic crisis, and “Chinese style reforms” to economic transformation first in China, accompanied by macroeconomic growth.reforms, transformation, party-state systems, goulash communism, Chinese style reforms

A Model Explaining Social and Political Change of Party-states Structural and Dynamic Background of Similarities and Differences in Reproduction, reforms, Collapse and Transformation

I shall argue that the Interactive Party-State (IPS) model (Csanádi, 1997) allows us to place the Chinese and Hungarian party-state structure and dynamics into a common framework. This framework sheds light on the structural reasons behind the different functional effects of reforms. This paper is divided into three major parts. In the first section I summarize the structural and dynamic properties of the IPS model. This is followed by arguments raised regarding its general nature, and consequently, the applicability of the model to China based on common structural and operational grounds. Finally, I will reveal that behind the robust common ground, the different structural specifics may give rise to the divergent development paths. The primary focus is theoretical, with empirical examples provided. Consistent empirical analysis based on the model will be a following undertaking.