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Reconfiguration of state–society relations: The making of uncompromising nail households in urban housing demolition and relocation in Dalian, China

Author

Listed:
  • Chen Li

    (Institute of Future Cities, Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)

  • Mark Yaolin Wang
  • Jennifer Day

    (The University of Melbourne, Australia)

Abstract

Based on an ongoing housing demolition and relocation project in Dalian, this article describes uncompromising nail households, who have resisted resettlement through intractable conflict and prolonged bargaining. Building upon a state–society approach, this article reveals a new relationship between state, society and governance in the institutional background of neoliberal urbanism in China. Uncompromising nail households within this transforming governance system are able to individually equip and maintain their resistance. The article identifies heterogeneous uncompromising nail households: ‘hard’, who maintain a firm stance throughout the bargaining process; and ‘hardened’, who increase resistance during the process of bargaining. These findings contribute to understanding of the reconfiguration of state–society relations, and demonstrate significant contradictions between the central and local states in the dynamics of change in neoliberal urbanism in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen Li & Mark Yaolin Wang & Jennifer Day, 2021. "Reconfiguration of state–society relations: The making of uncompromising nail households in urban housing demolition and relocation in Dalian, China," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 58(8), pages 1581-1597, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:58:y:2021:i:8:p:1581-1597
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098020912151
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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