Original
Discovering Controversies through Reversions: A Text-based Analysis of China’s Two-phase Bill Changes
Abstract
Abstract This study uncovers hidden disputes in China’s law-making process by systematically tracking bill changes across executive and legislative phases. Utilizing an original dataset of 45 executive-initiated bills (2008–2023), it identifies a consistent pattern of reversions – instances where executive-approved changes to draft bills were overridden in the legislature – revealing the National People’s Congress to be a key policy battleground. Reversions are concentrated in bills concerning health, safety and environment, often involving scope, regulatory frameworks and legal liability. Combined with qualitative case studies, these findings demonstrate the legislature’s crucial role in facilitating monitoring and negotiation in the policy process, offering new insights into executive–legislative dynamics in China’s single-party regime.
中文
从回退中发现争议：中国两阶段法案变化的文本分析
摘要
摘要 本研究通过系统追踪法案在行政阶段和立法阶段的变化，揭示了中国立法过程中隐藏的争议。利用一套涵盖45项由行政机关提出的法案（2008—2023年）的原创数据集，研究识别出一种一致的回退模式——即行政机构认可的草案修改在立法机关被推翻——从而表明全国人民代表大会是关键的政策博弈场。回退集中在涉及健康、安全和环境的法案中，常涉及适用范围、监管框架和法律责任。结合定性案例研究，这些发现表明立法机关在政策过程中促进监督和协商方面发挥关键作用，为理解中国一党制下的行政—立法互动提供了新见解。
关键词
中国立法、行政—立法关系、全国人民代表大会、法案回退、法案变化、文本分析、政策过程、一党制