An Analysis of School Violence Policy Changes in China from a Historical Neo-institutionalism Perspective

China has developed countermeasures and relevant policies to effectively respond to and prevent violence in schools since 2002. The purpose of this study was to explore factors that would affect policy changes in school violence from a historical neo-institutionalism perspective. A huge volume of relevant literature was collected and examined on changes in school violence policies in China and the factors that would affect them. At the institutional level, it was observed that the ruling party's people-centered philosophy of governance and increasing emphasis on school safety in China have induced policymakers to focus on justice and the protection of vulnerable groups' rights and interests. At the structural level, the findings showed that the main turning point in breaking the path of dependence on school violence policies was the school violence cases that caught significant social attention. Formal and informal actors published statements and public opinion hence drawing the government's attention to incidents of school violence. These findings indicate that policy improvements in school violence should not only depend on external shocks at the structural level, but on a future view that anticipates future changes in school violence and adopts a responsive approach. Secondly, a system of cooperation should be established among the various actors who can effectively prevent school violence and develop efficacious strategies to respond to school violence. Thirdly, the relevant institutions should explore the sustainability of policies. Fourthly, it is important to increase the channels through which the public can provide feedback on the effectiveness of policy implementation to government policymakers and regularly access the views of the public on policy settings. Fifthly, policymakers should pay more attention to the opinions of working and professional people to minimize incidences of school violence. Sixth, the relevant authorities should establish a reasonable linkage system to operate as effectively as possible and bring the various functions into play to prevent school violence.