Vietnam
A Pathway from State Socialism

Focuses on the transformation of the Vietnamese state as it transitioned away from a centrally planned socialist regime.

Thaveeporn Vasavakul (Author)

9781108459075, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 7 February 2019

75 pages
23 x 15.3 x 0.6 cm, 0.14 kg

This is a study of Vietnam's socialist transition and state transformation, generally known as ??i m?i. It examines the drivers of socialist-regime change, the nature of the ??i m?i state, and the basis of regime legitimacy in Vietnam. The Element argues that despite its 'one-party rule' label, the party-state apparatus that channels said rule has become fragmented. State-building during the ??i m?i period involved negotiations and bargaining that redefine authority and power relations within the state apparatus. The party-state's accountability projects are designed to target the specific self-aggrandizing tendencies of the state apparatus, its policies, and abuse of state power. At the leadership level, patterns of resource allocation underlying the ??i m?i growth model as well as the VCP's cadre rotation approach have accommodated central and sub-national state elites across sectors and levels, helping shore up the legitimacy of the ??i m?i state in the eyes of the state elite. The combination of sustained economic growth, expansion of political space, accountability, and tolerance of small-scale public protests have been factors in strengthening regime-society legitimization.

1. Introduction
2. From state socialism to transition
3. State building
4. Accountability of the ??i m?i state
5. Regime change and legitimacy from a comparative perspective.

Subject Areas: Freedom of information & freedom of speech [JPVH2], Regional government policies [JPRB], Central government [JPQ], Marxism & Communism [JPFC]