ABSTRACT
This chapter is organized around the results of a research project on ‘participation, elections and social stability in rural and urban areas in China’ which was jointly conducted by Gunter Schubert (University of Tuebingen) and the author. Whereas Schubert focused on rural areas, the author concentrated on urban locations. Three surveys were conducted altogether (based on interviews with ordinary residents and local officials): the first in spring 2003 in two neighbourhoods in Shenyang, followed by two neighbourhoods in Chongqing in summer 2003, and finally two neighbourhoods in Shenzhen in spring 2004 (see Appendix for further information).
