Global Health & Humanities Book Talk Series No.2 "Toxic Politics”

DATE: February 26, 2021 (Friday)
TIME: 10:30am-11:30am

 seminar posterAbstract:

Environmental degradation in China has not only brought a wider range of diseases and other health consequences than previously understood, it has also taken a heavy toll on Chinese society, the economy, and the legitimacy of the party-state. In Toxic Politics, Yanzhong Huang presents new evidence of China's deepening health crisis and challenges the widespread view that China is clearly winning the war on pollution. Although government leaders are learning, stricter and more centralized policy enforcement measures have not been able to substantially and consistently reduce pollution or improve public health. Huang connects this failure to pathologies inherent in the institutional structure of the Chinese party-state, which embeds conflicting incentives for officials and limits the capacity of the state to deliver public goods. Toxic Politics reveals a political system that is remarkably resilient but fundamentally flawed. Huang examines the implications for China's future, both domestically and internationally.

Speaker: Dr Yanzhong Huang (Seton Hall University)
Moderator: Dr. Stephen Ng (HKU)
Discussant: Dr. Harry Wu (HKU)

All are welcome, please register at https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?ueid=73278. This event will be conducted via zoom. The link shall be given the day before the event.

Should you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact Mr. Adrian Kam by email at adkam@hku.hk or by phone at 39172867.