Innovation of Social Management

It refers to activities or processes which under the existing social management conditions, leverage existing resources and experience to study and apply new social management concepts, knowledge, technology, methods and mechanisms, etc., based on the political, economic and social development trends, especially according to the operating law of society itself and social management related concepts and norms, transform, improve and reform traditional management models and corresponding management methods and means, and construct new social management mechanisms and systems, so as to achieve new social management goals. The “Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Strengthening the Construction of the Party’s Governance Capability” reviewed and approved by the 4th Plenary Session of the 16th Central Committee of the CPC in 2004 proposed the task of “strengthening social construction and management and promoting innovation in social management systems”. The Report of the 17th CPC National Congress in 2007 proposed to “establish and improve the social management pattern featured by Party committee leadership, government responsibility, social coordination, and public participation”.

Social management innovation is included in a more complete system framework. Social management innovation activities and processes are premised on the existence of social management, aiming to form a better order for society and produce ideal political, economic and social benefits. In the process of deepening Reform and Opening-up, with the acceleration of development speed and economic and social transformation, China’s social problems and contradictions have shown “phase characteristics”, mainly:

(1) Increasing class conflicts. Since the Reform and Opening-up, new social strata and interest groups have emerged in Chinese society. Conflicts and disputes often arise between the new social strata and the traditional social strata and within the new social strata due to the difference in the mode of gaining interests, which can easily cause social problems.

(2) Mobility issues. At present, there are more than 200 million floating population in China, which flows between the eastern and western regions of China, and between urban and rural areas. How to mobilize the enthusiasm of the floating population in the construction of the inflow areas, ensure their social welfare in the inflow areas, and prevent them from uncontrollable behaviors caused by unbalanced mentality, have become urgent problems to be solved in the urbanization process.

(3) Risks posed by social anomalies. The cultivation of social values cannot be achieved overnight. Risks are easily caused by improper handling of conflicts of interest or improper behaviors of some people. Management content innovation is the focus of social management innovation. To innovate the social management model, we must innovate the management content, clarify the management field, strengthen the management of social public affairs, effectively mediate social conflicts, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of various groups and parties. Social management innovation mainly includes the following: Strengthen the construction of social management system and enhance the joint force of social management.

Firstly, correctly handle the relationships between the government and social organizations and relevant entities and clarify the roles of all parties in social management.

Secondly, construct and implement a rights-oriented social policy system, respect and guarantee the rights and freedoms of social organizations and individuals, strengthen the construction of social service systems, improve social management and service levels, eliminate social exclusion, and promote social integration.

Thirdly, strengthen the construction of the people’s livelihood system and establish a new mechanism for the development of people's livelihood and social management that is led by the government and participated by all parties.

Improving and protecting people's livelihood is not only an inevitable requirement for the government to perform its social management functions, but also a basic function that shall be prioritized in government administration. The solution to these issues requires the joint efforts of society and individuals. The government shall not only assume the responsibility of directly providing various services, but also shall leverage the power, authority, information and resources at its disposal to mobilize the enthusiasm of all sectors of society to participate in solving people's livelihood issues.

Fourthly, improve the social risk assessment mechanism and emergency management system, improve the capability to respond to various risks, and form a social stability mechanism to maintain long-term social stability and effectively deal with social public crisis events.

Fifthly, enhance the vitality of the whole society to participate in social management, and further improve the operating mechanism of social management. It is necessary to establish an equal and democratic social cooperation mechanism between different social subjects, advocate the concept of participatory administration, form a sustainable development management mechanism that balances various interests of all parties, safeguards the development interests of all people and maintains environmental and ecological interests, and strive to achieve virtuous cycle of ecosystem.

Key problems to be solved in social management innovation. To promote social management innovation and further improve the social management system, we must not only carry out the work in an all-round way, but also grasp the source, fundamental and basic problems, and the focus shall be put on solving such problems as floating population service management, special population education management, social security comprehensive governance of key areas, online virtual society construction management, and social organization management services.

Path selection to social management innovation. Firstly, we must do a good job in system construction, improve a series of social management policies and regulations, and establish a new pattern of social management that is compatible with building a harmonious society.

Secondly, we must improve the participatory and autonomous governance structure, attach importance to the cultivation of excellent managers, excellent professionals, and excellent social organizations, and through process guidance and regulation in the field of social management, promote the government to consciously guide, regulate and stimulate innovation activities and innovative behaviors, forming a highly effective ecological mechanism for social management innovation.

Thirdly, we must establish the correct direction and scientific paths, promote social vitality rather than restricting social vitality, carry out structural reforms to adjust interests, emphasize the need to respect different values, advocate different behavior models, and listen to voices of different interest groups, and value communication and coordination.