China is the most influential non-democratic country in the world with its own political economy and political and economic impact across many industry sectors and geographies. Today, undertaking nearly any kind of international work will involve some level of engagement with China. Therefore, success in international work will require a basic understanding of how China works and how international organizations work effectively with and in the country.

International scholars, business people, and civil society practitioners seek to understand and explain, shape and influence, and benefit from China’s economy and society. In so doing, these institutions and individuals encounter a political economy often described as “resilient authoritarianism,” characterized by opacity and predictability, rigidity and adaptability, repression and lenience, top down and bottom-up governance, and by rhetoric aimed at international actors that is both welcoming and defensive. This approach to governance creates one set of conditions for international organizations. In addition, the political atmosphere related to China in the home countries of many international organizations is shifting, and hardening, thus creating an additional set of conditions that must be navigated. Managing international organizations in China now requires multifaceted analysis and strategies to ensure success.

This course will explore how international actors have navigated working in China over time, what strategies have been used to identify and manage dynamic risk, and what lessons can be learned for working in and with China into the future.