Reza Hasmath
Reza Hasmath (Ph.D., Cambridge) is a Full Professor of Political Science at the University of Alberta. He has previously held faculty positions in management, sociology, and political science at the Universities of Toronto, Melbourne, and Oxford. He has also worked for and advised global think tanks, consultancies, development agencies, and social organizations. He was formally trained in philosophy, public policy, international studies and diplomacy, social and political sciences, as well as various East Asian and European languages. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Civil Society and the Founding Editor of the Routledge Research on the Politics and Sociology of China book series.
His award-winning research is supported by several multi-year grant schemes, which can be summarized in five major themes: (1) examining the life course experiences and public management of ethnic minorities in global contexts; (2) analyzing state-society relationships in China and how the activities of emerging state and non-state actors potentially affect salient theories, practices, and assumptions in international development and global affairs; (3) assessing the evolving behaviour of policy actors and citizens and their subsequent impact on advanced authoritarian regimes; (4) evaluating global social and economic sustainability and the development of environmental, social, and corporate governance principles and practices; and (5) probing into the essential qualities of the self, community, and state through their performative interplay in the public domain.
His award-winning research is supported by several multi-year grant schemes, which can be summarized in five major themes: (1) examining the life course experiences and public management of ethnic minorities in global contexts; (2) analyzing state-society relationships in China and how the activities of emerging state and non-state actors potentially affect salient theories, practices, and assumptions in international development and global affairs; (3) assessing the evolving behaviour of policy actors and citizens and their subsequent impact on advanced authoritarian regimes; (4) evaluating global social and economic sustainability and the development of environmental, social, and corporate governance principles and practices; and (5) probing into the essential qualities of the self, community, and state through their performative interplay in the public domain.
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Books by Reza Hasmath
Managing ethnic diversity in China has become an increasingly important subject, especially against the backdrop of the nation’s rampant economic growth and changing institutional behaviour. The book has an analytical interest in looking at the benefactors of China’s growth from an ethnic group dimension, and notably, how the economic life of the 55 ethnic minority groups compares to the Han majority. It’s one of the first publications to capture the heterogeneity of ethnic minority groups’ socio-economic experience, through intersectional analysis and multi-disciplinary approaches. Contributing factors in explaining ethnic minorities’ experiences in the urban labour market are also considered: from how linguistic capital and migration patterns vary for ethnic minorities, to the effects of pro-rural policies. Underpinning these are questions about the extent to which happiness and discrimination impact the economic life of ethnic minorities.
Ethnicity and Inequality in China will prove an invaluable resource for students and scholars of economics, sociology and contemporary Chinese Studies more broadly."
This book provides an urgent insight into contemporary state-NGO relations. It brings together the most recent research covering three broad themes, namely the conceptualizations and subsequent functions of NGOs; state-NGO engagement; and NGOs as a mediator between state and society in contemporary China. The book provides a future glimpse into the challenges of state-NGO interactions in China's rapidly developing regions, which will aid NGOs strategic planning in both the short- and long-term. In addition, it allows a measure of predictability in our assessment of Chinese NGOs behaviour, notably when they eventually move their areas of operation from the domestic sphere to an international one.
The salient themes, concepts, theories and practice discussed in this book will be of acute interest to students, scholars and practitioners in development studies, public administration, and Chinese and Asian politics."
This book offers a systematic analysis of the growing convergence on these matters in the development and welfare state literatures, utilizing the experiences of a myriad of jurisdictions around the world. Drawing upon the expertise of leading international policymakers, practitioners, and academics in the field, this book critiques the theoretical underpinning of growth and development, examine welfare state perspectives on inclusive growth and social/economic development, and present lessons learned and best/worst practices from the experiences of developing and developed nations."
This book looks at how NGOs, social organizations, business associations, trade unions, and religious associations interact with the state, and explores how social actors have negotiated the influence of the state at both national and local levels. It further examines how a corporatist understanding of state-society relations can be reformulated, as old and new social stakeholders play a greater role in managing contemporary social issues. The book goes on to chart the differences in how the state behaves locally and centrally, and finally discusses the future direction of the corporatist state.
Drawing on a range of sources from recent fieldwork and the latest data, this timely collection will appeal to students and scholars working in the fields of Chinese politics, Chinese economics and Chinese society."
The Ethnic Penalty argues that a penalty has impeded the occupational success of ethnic minorities during the job search, hiring and promotion process. As a result, ethnic minorities have a lower income, higher unemployment and a general failure to convert their high educational attainments into comparable occupational outcomes. In this context, the book examines whether explanatory factors such as discrimination, an individual's social network, a firm's working culture, and a community's social trust are major contributing reasons behind this apparent penalty, whilst also making suggestions for improving the integration, education delivery, and labour market outcomes of visible ethnic minorities."
Exploring the questions of whether multiculturalism can promote 'ethnic harmony', employment equity and trust between various minority and non-minority groups, Managing Ethnic Diversity also adopts a comparative perspective on the experiences of multiculturalism in various international contexts, in order to examine whether lessons learned from some jurisdictions can be applied to others.
With an international team of experts presenting the latest research from the UK, North America, Europe, China and Australasia, a truly global dialogue is fostered with regard to the utility and limits of multiculturalism in local and comparative contexts. As such, Managing Ethnic Diversity will appeal to social scientists interested in race and ethnicity, multiculturalism and migration."
Book Chapters by Reza Hasmath
Journal Articles by Reza Hasmath
Managing ethnic diversity in China has become an increasingly important subject, especially against the backdrop of the nation’s rampant economic growth and changing institutional behaviour. The book has an analytical interest in looking at the benefactors of China’s growth from an ethnic group dimension, and notably, how the economic life of the 55 ethnic minority groups compares to the Han majority. It’s one of the first publications to capture the heterogeneity of ethnic minority groups’ socio-economic experience, through intersectional analysis and multi-disciplinary approaches. Contributing factors in explaining ethnic minorities’ experiences in the urban labour market are also considered: from how linguistic capital and migration patterns vary for ethnic minorities, to the effects of pro-rural policies. Underpinning these are questions about the extent to which happiness and discrimination impact the economic life of ethnic minorities.
Ethnicity and Inequality in China will prove an invaluable resource for students and scholars of economics, sociology and contemporary Chinese Studies more broadly."
This book provides an urgent insight into contemporary state-NGO relations. It brings together the most recent research covering three broad themes, namely the conceptualizations and subsequent functions of NGOs; state-NGO engagement; and NGOs as a mediator between state and society in contemporary China. The book provides a future glimpse into the challenges of state-NGO interactions in China's rapidly developing regions, which will aid NGOs strategic planning in both the short- and long-term. In addition, it allows a measure of predictability in our assessment of Chinese NGOs behaviour, notably when they eventually move their areas of operation from the domestic sphere to an international one.
The salient themes, concepts, theories and practice discussed in this book will be of acute interest to students, scholars and practitioners in development studies, public administration, and Chinese and Asian politics."
This book offers a systematic analysis of the growing convergence on these matters in the development and welfare state literatures, utilizing the experiences of a myriad of jurisdictions around the world. Drawing upon the expertise of leading international policymakers, practitioners, and academics in the field, this book critiques the theoretical underpinning of growth and development, examine welfare state perspectives on inclusive growth and social/economic development, and present lessons learned and best/worst practices from the experiences of developing and developed nations."
This book looks at how NGOs, social organizations, business associations, trade unions, and religious associations interact with the state, and explores how social actors have negotiated the influence of the state at both national and local levels. It further examines how a corporatist understanding of state-society relations can be reformulated, as old and new social stakeholders play a greater role in managing contemporary social issues. The book goes on to chart the differences in how the state behaves locally and centrally, and finally discusses the future direction of the corporatist state.
Drawing on a range of sources from recent fieldwork and the latest data, this timely collection will appeal to students and scholars working in the fields of Chinese politics, Chinese economics and Chinese society."
The Ethnic Penalty argues that a penalty has impeded the occupational success of ethnic minorities during the job search, hiring and promotion process. As a result, ethnic minorities have a lower income, higher unemployment and a general failure to convert their high educational attainments into comparable occupational outcomes. In this context, the book examines whether explanatory factors such as discrimination, an individual's social network, a firm's working culture, and a community's social trust are major contributing reasons behind this apparent penalty, whilst also making suggestions for improving the integration, education delivery, and labour market outcomes of visible ethnic minorities."
Exploring the questions of whether multiculturalism can promote 'ethnic harmony', employment equity and trust between various minority and non-minority groups, Managing Ethnic Diversity also adopts a comparative perspective on the experiences of multiculturalism in various international contexts, in order to examine whether lessons learned from some jurisdictions can be applied to others.
With an international team of experts presenting the latest research from the UK, North America, Europe, China and Australasia, a truly global dialogue is fostered with regard to the utility and limits of multiculturalism in local and comparative contexts. As such, Managing Ethnic Diversity will appeal to social scientists interested in race and ethnicity, multiculturalism and migration."
As China’s rise as a major power marks a defining feature of the contemporary global political, economic and security landscape, it remains crucial to focus on Chinese citizens’ perceptions of foreign jurisdictions and issues of global concern. Namely, the Chinese state’s capacity to pursue its interests is intimately tied to the popular legitimacy it is granted by its citizenry. This ultimately means that the general public’s support or dissatisfaction with China’s foreign policy and activities can translate to future support or dissatisfaction with the Chinese government itself.
This report discusses the findings from the second iteration of the Chinese Citizens’ Global Perception Survey (CCGPS). CCGPS 2024 is an online and telephone national survey conducted by the lead author, in cooperation with a survey firm in mainland China, in the first quarter of 2024. It provides a demographically representative and statistically valid, candid account of how the Chinese general public view other nations and their relationships with China. CCGPS 2024 examined mainland Chinese citizens’ perspectives on China’s current relations with global actors, including Australia, Canada, the EU, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, the UK and the US. This report discusses the survey findings in five areas: (1) Chinese citizens’ general global perception; (2) China’s global roles; (3) foreign tourism, study, work and emigration preferences; (4) Canada-China relations; and (5) Chinese citizens’ sources and knowledge of global jurisdictions.
This report offers observations and insights into the Chinese public’s views on global relations, and the factors that shape these perceptions. In the same breath, the report points to critical nuances that fashion a greater understanding behind the complexities of everyday Chinese citizens’ thinking. The goal of the report is to provide evidence, rooted in timely data, which can aid key stakeholders to develop targeted and considered strategies for enlighten and productive engagement with mainland China.
The 2024 NPC outcomes have significant implications for Canada. Foremost, Canadian policymakers should expect greater diplomatic overtures from China in comparison to recent years. This is notably the case as Beijing will attempt to bolster international trade and foreign investment to remedy economic headwinds. Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, forward-looking characterization of the relationship with his Canadian counterpart, Melanie Joly, is potentially an early sign of this repositioning. Similarly, Canadian business leaders should take note of a potentially more open business environment in China, and emerging opportunities for engagement with Beijing.
While China’s rise as a major power in the 21st century has made it a key player in global affairs, one crucial aspect to further examine is its own citizens’ attitudes towards foreign jurisdictions. How Chinese citizens perceive the world has profound implications for China’s future behaviour domestically and abroad. While the CPC exhibits a monopoly over the political system, it nonetheless requires popular support and legitimacy of its public policies and conduct. The CPC emphasizes monitoring public opinion and conducting public opinion analysis. This indicates that the public’s support or dissatisfaction with China’s foreign policy and activities can translate to future support or dissatisfaction with the CPC and the state itself.
This report discusses the findings from the first iteration of the Chinese Citizens’ Global Perception Survey (CCGPS). CCGPS 2023 is an online and telephone national survey conducted by the authors of the report, in collaboration with a survey firm in mainland China, in the first quarter of 2023. It provides a demographically representative and statistically valid, candid account of how the Chinese general public view other nations and their relationships with China.
The CCGPS 2023 has notably examined mainland Chinese citizens’ perspectives on China’s current relations with global actors, including Australia, Canada, the EU, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, the UK, and the US. The report discusses the survey findings in five areas: (1) Chinese citizens’ general global perception; (2) China’s global roles; (3) foreign tourism, study, work, and emigration preferences; (4) Canada-China relations; and, (5) Chinese citizens’ sources and knowledge of global jurisdictions.
The report provides observations and insights into Chinese public opinion on global relations, and the factors shaping these perceptions. Moreover, it highlights critical nuances that provide a greater understanding of the complexities of Chinese public opinion. The report’s objective is to provide evidence to aid key stakeholders in developing targeted and considered strategies for engaging with China.
To wit, there have been hawkish calls within influential EU circles to dramatically reimagine and reassess the EU’s relationship with China. This is typified by the European Commission (EC) President, Ursula von der Leyen, calling for a dramatic reassessment of EU and China relations on March 30, 2023. Moreover, this is a general sentiment that currently echoes throughout the national legislatures, policy bureaucracies and select industrial sectors in EU member states, inclusive of Germany and France – two of the most influential members.
At present, the end goal for the EU is to solidify and maintain a common position amongst member states towards China in the long-term. This is particularly pronounced when it comes to economic relations, technological cooperation, and managing potential security risks.
The mainland Chinese who arrived via the skilled migration stream generally seek high status and high paying professional occupations. Since 2015, the top occupational categories for this cohort consistently have been accountants, computer professions, civil engineering, auditors, and registered nurses.
Yet, skilled mainland Chinese migrants face numerous documented barriers in Australia’s labour market. While the precise size of their economic barriers, relative to the general population, is a subject of intense debate, what is generally agreed is that they achieve lower returns to education (i.e. converting their educational outcomes to comparable wages) than the non-visible minority population. Some studies have suggested this penalty can be as a high as for every 1 dollar earned by a member of Australia’s non-visible minority population in a comparable occupational position, a mainland Chinese migrant will earn 70-75 cents. Moreover, mainland Chinese migrants are heavily underrepresented at the upper echelons of large organizations in Australia.
This suggests, in sum, Australia has untapped human capital that is not being fully utilized. Left unattended, this will impact this cohort’s long-term social and economic integration, and reduce the overall capacity for Australia to reach its full economic potential in the long-run. This is notably alarming given the median age of this cohort is 33.6 years, suggesting they have the capacity to actively contribute to Australia’s labour market for several decades.
In reaction, the state has a tendency to over-regulate religious activities and RNGOs. For example, children under the age of 18 are not allowed to receive religious education in public sites. Public sector employees are not allowed to practice a religion or wear religious attire while working. Further, the registration of religious organizations is handled differently than other types of NGOs in China. In general, NGOs should be registered under the Ministry of Civil Affairs, however, RNGOs are registered and managed under separate organizations, the State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) at the central level, and the Religious Affairs Bureau (RAB) at the local level.
In spite of this environment, transnational RNGOs are increasingly prevalent in mainland China, and continue to be of the most resilient social organizations outside the Chinese party-state structure. This begs the urgent query: what tactics do transnational RNGOs employ to maintain a continued presence? Insight into their survival strategies can provide a blueprint to other NGOs operating in sensitive issue areas in China, and in jurisdictions with restrictive regulations towards civil society actors.
A review of summary data and several different regression specifications detailed in this article reveal that many minorities do not appear to suffer significant wage differentials with Han workers. However, among ‘outsider minorities’ groups, the results are consistent with a finding of significant wage discrimination. This observed wage gap is tempered by the fact that these specific minorities appear to exert extra effort, utilizing minority preferences and a meritocratic system, to obtain higher levels of education and secure more stable public sector jobs. This finding has a number of implications for the study of minorities in China and the general theories of minority responses to dominant discrimination.
insufficient epistemic awareness of NGO activities on the part of the state. In fact, the evidence suggests that once epistemic awareness is achieved by the state, they will have a stronger desire to interact with NGOs – with the caveat that the state will seek to utilize the material power of NGOs, rather than their symbolic, interpretive or geographical capital."
This book looks at how NGOs, social organizations, business associations, trade unions, and religious associations interact with the state, and explores how social actors have negotiated the influence of the state at both national and local levels. It further examines how a corporatist understanding of state-society relations can be reformulated, as old and new social stakeholders play a greater role in managing contemporary social issues. The book goes on to chart the differences in how the state behaves locally and centrally, and finally discusses the future direction of the corporatist state.
Drawing on a range of sources from recent fieldwork and the latest data, this timely collection will appeal to students and scholars working in the fields of Chinese politics, Chinese economics and Chinese society."