Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No. 10, 2021

An Exploration of the Type Matching and Application of Policy Mechanisms

(Abstract)

Zhao Jing and Xue Lan

From the perspective of modernization, it is useful to summarize the matching of policy mechanisms and types in the process of reform and opening up in order to help modernize the current national governance system and provide thoughts for the longer-term adjustment of national governance. China has long since developed administrative-led arrangements in national governance, which have gained high governance efficiency in the implementation of major institutional reforms or new policy systems. The policy environment has changed significantly in the new era as the general public has placed much higher demands on solving policy problems, scientific decision-making and efficient governance. In this stage of high-quality development supported by targeted governance, the public policy process in China is also evolving in line with the trend of diversification of policy targets, giving rise to the emergence of multi-stakeholder competition and impact-networking mechanisms in line with the changes in the macro-policy environment. The shift in the use of policy mechanisms from a single to a pluralistic approach implies a shift in the shape of governance, while the transition in the use of policy mechanisms reflects the historical inevitability of the times. In the context of major policy reforms, it is important to pay attention to the governance challenges posed by the mismatch between the differentiation of public policy types and administrative-led mechanisms. Through flexible and coordinated use of various policy mechanisms, we can reduce the economic and social costs brought about by such mismatches and ensure that comprehensive reform achieves its intended effects.