Research On The Grid-based Social Governance From The Perspective Of Structure-function

Grid-based social governance mechanism,as a product of the practice of optimizing the local social governance system and responding to the current complex governance situation,has achieved remarkable results in the practice of grassroots social governance.It has received wide attention from the top decision-making level of the Party Central Committee and from local governments for its integrative,executive and effective characteristics in enhancing social prevention and control and resolving major risks in the social field.In the process of large-scale promotion,improvement and application of the mechanism in China’s grassroots social governance,grid-based governance mechanism has been highly valued by academics,which has resulted in informative research including empirical reflections and theoretical studies.The existing studies have explored different aspects,such as the structure,the mechanism and the action of this governance mechanism in the process of grassroots social governance,which are helpful for understanding the action mechanism and operation process of this model.However,there are still significant shortcomings such as insufficient basic theories,fragmented analytical frameworks and linearity of content examination.It is necessary to frame and analyze the structure and functions of this governance model on the basis of a systematic understanding of the characteristics of the mechanism,and to grasp the structural support required for the realization of its functions and the dynamic process of its output.While optimizing the operational structure of the grid-based governance model,the thesis constructs a paradigm sample for the current meso-level municipal grid-based governance in China.In view of this,the thesis introduces the structural-functional theory into the analysis of the functional output of the grid-based governance model,and builds a "stable control-service-cooperation" analysis framework for the analysis of the grid-based governance process by drawing on and expanding the structural-functional theory framework.The thesis gives a holistic examination of the functional process of grid-based governance on the basis of the analysis of meso mechanism,macro theory and micro experience.At the same time,based on the integration of existing studies,the thesis focuses on the influence of different dimensions of governance structures on the functional output of the governance process.Based on the structural-functional theory,governance theory and actor network theory as the basic theories of the study,and using the normative research method,empirical research method,systematic analysis method and case study method,the thesis addresses the real situation of functional blockage and under-released effectiveness of the real grid-based governance.Based on the structural-functional perspective and following the process of the grid-based governance mechanism,the key governance structures and functional sub-processes of grid-based social governance are analyzed.In order to compare the reality with the functional output dilemma in the process of grid-based social governance,we analyze the structural causes of both institutionalization and non-institutionalization,which is used as a basis to achieve the solution of the problem through optimizing the structure and strengthening the function.The thesis consists of six main parts.Analytical framework of the grid-based governance model.Based on the integration of good governance theory,social capital theory and actor network theory,an extended "management-service-cooperation" framework is put forward in this part.the main framework of good governance in grids is built from the three functional sub-processes of social order stabilization and control,public service provision,and governance action coordination,and the corresponding output of management,service,and integration functions.On this basis,the governance structures that influence the output of each functional sub-process are categorized into "institutionalized structure and non-institutionalized structure".The institutionalized structure regulates the roles of the actors in the functional sub-processes in the form of institutionalization and defines the corresponding powers and obligations,while the non-institutionalized structure modifies the role expectations of the actors in the form of constructive and reciprocal networks,and the role of the actors determines the extent to which the functions of the functional sub-processes fit the structure.Structural depiction of grid-based governance.In this part,the structural patterns are classified into static dimension and dynamic dimension,and the classificaton to some extent also reflect the degree of involvement of structural relations with political institutions,i.e.,institutionalized and non-institutionalized structures.The institutionalized structure of the networked governance process defines the corresponding roles and obligations for individuals and organizational actors in the process in the form of formal institutional and organizational arrangements,thus providing the framework structure to realize the functions of the governance process.the network construction under the non-institutionalized structure provides other channels for the operation of power,and the non-institutionalized structure network based on the interaction is also a functional modification of the governance action roles,and the flexible actor network and the rigid institutionalized normative structure work together in the process of grassroots social governance practice.Further differentiating the structure of the grid-based governance system,the core sub-system structures are divided into the system structure of the party organization,the system structure of the functional departments and the system structure of the grid member organizations,which present different relationships and unit location patterns internally.Among them,the party organization system shows the relationship of coordination,and the location pattern of the cell shows the characteristics of vertical organization penetration and horizontal authority gathering;the functional department system shows the relationship of collaborate,and the location pattern of the cell shows the characteristics of online virtual presence and offline network construction;the grid member organization system shows the relationship of adhesion,and the location pattern of the cell shows the characteristics of marginal membership overlap and multi-dimensional authority empowerment.Functional examination of grid-based governance.Taking the objective action matters of the grid-based service management system in practice as reference,in the thesis three key functions are deduced from the process of grid-based governance,such as social order maintenance,public service supply and governance action synergy.The output of these functions needs to be realized through the corresponding governance process linking support structures and role behaviors,and there are corresponding institutionalized structures regulating each functional sub-process and non-institutionalized structures modifying the governance actions.Among them,the function of social order maintenance involves the resolution of social conflicts and the elimination of risks and hazards;the function of public service supply involves the sinking of service supply and the collection of service demand;the function of governance action coordination involves the integration of governance resources and the coordination of governance goals.Case study of grid-based governance.Based on the evolution of grid-based governance in China,the thesis presents three typical cases of governance processes in X city,including the investigation of severe mental patients in W county,the grid-based multifunctional public service provision in Q district,and the coordination of epidemic prevention and control actions in X city,by combining field interviews,policy text analysis,and other multifaceted research methods.these cases correspond to the functions of grid-based public order maintenance,public service provision and governance action coordination.Based on the operational process and results,the thesis outlines the structural support for the functional output of the grid-based governance mechanism,and examines the combination of normative theoretical analysis and empirical research results,on the basis of which the functional output dilemmas of the current grid-based governance process,such as the transgression of management actions,the suspension of service functions and the stagnation of collaborative actions,are sorted out.Analysis of the functional output dilemma of grid-based governance.Based on the functional output dilemma in the process of grid-based governance,the thesis analyzes the causes of the dilemma from a structural perspective.In the output level of the social order maintenance function,the governance paths are not embedded with the value objectives,which shows that the institutional means are suspended in the management actions and the inherent concepts conflict with the governance values;in the output level of the public service supply function,the section extension blunts the effectiveness release.At the output level of the public service provision function,the extension of the branch level blunts the release of effectiveness.Specifically,the isomorphic pressure solidifies the role attributes and the management thinking stiffens the service consciousness.The optimization path of functional output of grid-based governance.Based on the functional output obstacles in three functional sub-processes of grid-based governance activities,such as social order maintenance,public service provision and governance action synergy,the corresponding mechanism functional output optimization paths are explored at the institutionalized and non-institutionalized structural levels respectively.In particular,for the transgression of management actions,it is proposed to improve the institutional supply and build up a consensus of trust;for the suspension of service functions,it is proposed to optimize the functional settings and reshape the service roles;for the stagnation of collaborative actions,it is proposed to deepen the coordination and cooperation and expand the consensus of interests.