This study examines the changing state-society relations in mainland China by exploring the relationships between NGOs and the state during the period of transition to a market economy. The NGOs discussed in this study are primarily concerned with migrant workers, because the issue of migrant workers is one of the toughest issues confronted by the Chinese government. Three different types of NGOs are examined: government-owned NGOs (GONGOs), such as trade associations and county NGOs; grass roots NGOs in the Pearl River Delta and Beijing; and the international NGOs that initiate various programs relevant to migrant workers in China. The author¡¦s analysis is that the Chinese government, influenced by the political context, tends to be suspicious of NGOs and subjects them to restrictive regulations. Given the asymmetric power between the government and the NGOs, state-society relations have developed into a form of state corporatism. It is noteworthy that features of a primary mode of civil society as identified by Charles Taylor have emerged, even though this civil society is far from being capable to counter the power of the state. Moreover, empirical evidence suggests that external factors such as international NGOs and transnational networks are involved in the shaping of state-society relations.

This thesis examines grassroots peace building in Kosovo during the period 2001 - 2008 and seeks to understand how international actors have best supported, or otherwise, a process of deepening peace at this level. The research centres on analysis of thirty-three in-depth interviews with the main actors from this field. Through analysing interpretations of peace and peace building in Kosovo, I identify a contradiction between on the one hand, the dominant approach of building peace through relationships (favoured by international actors); and on the other, the need for peace to address personal needs. This means helping individuals come to terms with the past, and affecting a broader normalization of people’s everyday lives. I assert that a ‘deepening’ of peace in Kosovo will ultimately come about through offering young people more opportunities to ‘open up their hearts and minds’ - to broaden their horizons in ways that they feel empowered to view themselves and the world around them through a critical lens. This research identifies negative attitudes and behaviours amongst external actors in Kosovo, and illustrates how our personal qualities and conduct are of primary importance when it comes to peace building. In doing so, I identify a need for a higher level of self-awareness, commitment and empathy amongst external actors. Whilst reports have emerged which seek to evaluate the impact of peace building in Kosovo, this research examines the experiences of those engaged in such endeavours and encompasses a strong story-telling element. It also seeks to ground the issues at stake within a broader understanding of Kosovo’s social and historical landscape.

Les catastrophes naturelles relèvent des grands défis pour gouvernements et acteurs humanitaires à cause des conséquences et effets sur la population. En Chine, les désastres, fortement hétérogènes, ont des lourds impacts au niveau national. Dans le cadre d’un control gouvernemental et un développement de la société civile chinoise, les ONGs internationales conçoivent et enrichissent ses relations et collaborations, dessinant des réseaux inter-organisationnels qui sont rarement objet d’étude. Voici la problématique envisagée dans ce travail pour la période de 2012-2013 dans le domaine des catastrophes naturelles en Chine. Cela dit, on propose une recherche basée dans des méthodes mixtes pour l’analyse des réseaux des ONGs internationales (à partir des rapports on-line) et des entretiens à des informateurs clés pour comprendre leurs perspectives et tendances dans ses collaborations.Parmi nos conclusions, il faut souligner une faible densité de liens dans les deux réseaux complets. L’ampliation augmente fortement la complexité d’un réseau dans lequel les acteurs gouvernementaux de la Chine et de Hong Kong se démarquent en termes de prestige. Trois organisations appartenant au Mouvement de la Croix Rouge présentent des mesures de prestige les plus élevées. Ce groupe affiche des hautes valeurs d’homophilie de type dans le groupe. Les ONGs de caractère religieux montrent également des résultats élevés d’homophilie. Les entretiens fournissent de l’information en ce qui concerne les relations de communication et le renforcement de capacités qui n’apparaissent pas dans les rapports. Le positionnement en relation aux ONGs quasi gouvernementales varie d’accord au profil de l’organisation. Le procès et changements dans lequel la regulation et enregistrement sont subis crée de l’expectation et espoir parmi les informateurs mais aussi de la méfiance dans un cas. Finalement, l’implantation des organisations en Chine continentale et Hong Kong révèle des stratégies associées à l’accréditation, la stabilité et le financement par les dons. / Natural disasters represent an enormous threat to governments and humanitarian agents due to their impact on society and vulnerable population. China’s natural disasters are highly heterogeneous leading to dramatic consequences on a national level. In the context of a developing Chinese civil society framed by a governmental control, International NGOs are constanly establishing relationships between them and other actors. Therefore and considering the very few studies on inter-organizational networks based on NGOs, the study aim to explore networks of international NGOs’ working on natural disasters’ assistance in China in 2012-2013. A mixed methodology based on Social Newtork Analysis and in-depth interviews has been designed to study humanitarian agents’ collaboration and its patterns. Networks are represented using directed ties and binary relations from NGOs’ annual reports data, complementing the analysis with ten interviews of ten organizations’ key informants.The research findings display a low density of links of whole networks’ results. Also, we observe how extending the boundaries to other organizations, led into a higher amount of nodes placing Chinese and Hong Kong governmental bodies as prestige actors. Two Red Cross organizations obtained high prestige values, as well. In the same direction, Red Cross and religious organizations groups have shown high homophily results. The interviews have provided a more precise information regarding some non-declared relations on the annual reports based on communication and building capacities. Depending on the organization profile and its approach to humanitarian relief assistance, NGOs’ perspective on governmental organizations and GONGOs slightly differed one from each other. Some expectation and hope regarding regulation’s changes on register have been found amongst the interviewees. However, one organization showed concern. Finally, organizations’ offices placement in Chinese cities reveals some strategies related to registration but also to fundraising and stability, affecting both their established and potential links. / El fenómeno de los desastres naturales es uno de los mayores problemas que enfrentan los gobiernos y agentes humanitarios, debido a sus consecuencias y sus efectos sobre población vulnerable. En China, los desastres de tipología diversa conllevan grandes repercusiones a nivel nacional. En el marco de un control gubernamental y un desarrollo de la sociedad civil, las ONGs internacionales tejen relaciones y colaboraciones, formando redes inter-organizacionales que resultan objeto de escaso estudio. Es este el problema que hemos querido estudiar para el periodo de 2012 - 2013 en el ámbito de los desastres naturales en China. Para ello utilizamos un diseño de método mixto de análisis de redes (a través de informes on-line) y entrevistas en profundidad, explorando desde esta perspectiva su implementación y las tendencias en las colaboraciones de estos actores.Entre nuestras principales conclusiones, destacamos una baja densidad de vínculos de las dos primeras redes completas obtenidas. La ampliación aumenta en gran medida la complejidad de la red en los cuales destacan en términos de prominencia agentes gubernamentales de China y de Hong Kong. Tres de las organizaciones de la Cruz Roja son las que mejores resultados obtienen en prominencia, siendo también muy elevada la homofilia por tipo en este grupo. Las ONGs de carácter religioso presentan igualmente altas medidas de homofilia. Las entrevistas arrojan luz sobre unas relaciones de comunicación y creación de capacidades que a menudo no son recogidas en los informes. El posicionamiento respecto a las cuasi-ONGs y organizaciones gubernamentales varía según el perfil de la organización. El proceso de cambio sobre el registro y su regulación generan expectación y esperanza entre los informantes, destacando también un caso de preocupación. Por último, la implantación de las organizaciones en China continental y Hong Kong revela varias estrategias asociadas al registro, la estabilidad y las donaciones.