Hillman, Benjamin2015-12-081463-1369http://hdl.handle.net/1885/36715Using Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture as a case study, this article argues that local governance and local policies have had a major impact on local Tibetan economies and societies in China. It argues that a combination of liberal social policies and smart economic policies have helped Diqing to achieve both growth and stability in recent years. While each Tibetan region in China represents a unique blend of social, cultural, economic, geographic and historical circumstances, the author argues that Diqing's experience nevertheless yields important lessons for other Tibetan areas and for policymakers in Beijing.Keywords: Development; Diqing; Tibet; Tibet autonomous region201010.1080/146313610037796042016-02-24