Localized Bargaining

Xiao Ma is an assistant professor of political science at Peking University. He teaches and conducts research on comparative political institutions, political economy of development, and Chinese politics. In particular, Ma's research examines how institutions and incentives shape elite behaviors and policymaking in developing states like China. His research is published or forthcoming in numerous political science and area studies journals, including Journal of East Asian Studies, Security Studies, Political Communication, The China Review, Journal of Contemporary China, China: An International Journal, The China Quarterly, and Journal of Chinese Governance.

• DedicationAcknowledgementsAbbreviationsList of FiguresList of TablesChapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: Bureaucracies and Localized BargainingChapter 3: Local Ambitions in Central PolicymakingChapter 4: The "Cardinals" and the "Clerics"Chapter 5: The Political Geography of High-speed RailwaysChapter 6: The Power of the MassesChapter 7: ConclusionBibliographyIndex

Localized Bargaining is an important addition to the literature, providing insights into one of the most salient aspects of Chinese politics-the triangulated relationship between top decision makers, local bureaucrats, and the masses. Ma is to be applauded for providing insight into "a regularized, controllable mechanism" for the bottom up articulating of interests.