Social and Legal Control in China: A Comparative Perspective

Abstract

This article exposes the reader to a different social and legal control system and a different way of thinking about crime—that of China. Chinese think positively about the nature of humans and their potential, and China’s social control system weaves together a unique combination of formal and informal mechanisms with a strong emphasis on the latter. The criminal justice system constitutes a key element of the social control system, but it appears to be more of a last resort. It is hoped that through a comparative analysis, the reader can develop a deeper understanding of different social and legal systems.