From Germination to Transformation: Policy Studies in China Over the Past Half-Century (1970s–2020s)

Authors

• Shuai Cao
• Ping Xu, University of Rhode IslandFollow
• Hongtao Yi
• Ling Zhu

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

2026

Department

Political Science

Abstract

Over the past half-century, policy studies in China have undergone a remarkable evolution. This paper seeks to provide a comprehensive analysis of the field's development by tracing its origins and transformations over time. We introduce a time-based and multifaceted framework that delineates the evolution of policy studies in China into four distinct phases: germination (1978 to mid-1990s), burgeoning (late 1990s to 2012), normalization (2013 to 2022), and transformation (2023 to present). We first analyze the evolution of each phase in terms of historical contexts, disciplinary development, policy research (including policy domains, theoretical advancements, and methodological approaches), and intellectual engagement with the international policy research community. Drawing on a self-compiled database of 347 articles, we then present an overview of key trends across these four phases and further analyze the patterns of policy areas, theories of the policy process, and research methodologies for each phase. We conclude the article by identifying major challenges confronting policy studies in China and outlining potential opportunities for advancing the field.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Policy Studies Journal

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Cao, S., Xu, P., Yi, H. & Zhu, L. (2026). From Germination to Transformation: Policy Studies in China Over the Past Half-Century (1970s–2020s). Policy Studies Journal, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/psj.70097.

Available at:  https://doi.org/10.1111/psj.70097