Scalar restructuring of the Chinese state: The subnational politics of development zones

Recent studies have re-examined the implications and conceptual limitations of the theory of state rescaling in non-Western contexts. While the reconfiguration of state spaces has taken place in many countries and regions, the forces driving a state to reconfigure its spatial power and the forms of state rescaling appear to be contingent upon specific contexts. This article analyses the driving forces behind the scalar restructuring of the Chinese state and discusses how the logic as well as the form of rescaling differ from the post-Fordist experience of the West. By focusing on the frantic rush to establish special development zones, this article argues that development zones in China represent new political spaces that enable local state actors to navigate between multiple scales. Local states can manipulate the costs and benefits between a zone and its hosting locale by taking advantage of their overlapping jurisdictions across different scales. Zoning has become a scaling strategy from below. Local authorities have deployed various zoning technologies to empower themselves by manipulating the existing scalar order to their own advantage.

A criterion for symmetric tricritical points in condensed ordered phases

Basic methods from bifurcation theory are applied to derive a criterion that predicts when a symmetric tricritical point may occur in a transition between condensed ordered phases described by any finite number of scalar order parameters. At such a point, a change of order takes place in the phase transition, which passes from first to second order, or vice versa.

Equilibrium order parameters of nematic liquid crystals in the Landau-de Gennes theory

We study equilibrium liquid crystal configurations in three-dimensional geometries, within the continuum Landau-de Gennes theory. We obtain explicit bounds for the equilibrium scalar order parameters in terms of the temperature and material-dependent constants. We explicitly quantify the temperature regimes where the Landau-de Gennes predictions match and the temperature regimes where the Landau-de Gennes predictions do not match the probabilistic second-moment definition of the Q-tensor order parameter. The regime of agreement may be interpreted as the regime of validity of the Landau-de Gennes theory since the Landau-de Gennes theory predicts large values of the equilibrium scalar order parameters – larger than unity, in the low-temperature regime. We discuss a modified Landau-de Gennes energy functional which yields physically realistic values of the equilibrium scalar order parameters in all temperature regimes.

Conceptual remarks for the understanding of city and border systems in a global reality

Globalized bordering methods differ from national bordering initiatives and practices in their more complex and less clearly delineated structure. They are controlled by bundles of economic, political, cultural, social and jurisdictional institutions that operate on a four-Ievel scalar order. Flows on higher levels in the hierarchy may cross borders on lower levels. In addition, border characteristics as both limit and transgression are emphasized. As a result, the study of borders as a clear-cut dividing line remains irrelevant for the understanding of many bordering situations. Instead, borders become osmotic barriers in which elites gain the power to institutionalize discriminating practices of border crossing and limiting. In the light of these consequences, it is necessary in bordering studies to focus on identifying bundles of institutions that limit selective flows, unraveling their modes of Operation in both limiting flows and creating transgressions, and in exposing the consequences of limits and transgressions on the deprivation of selected interests.