Changes in Governance and the Modernization of Rural Jiangsu: A Comparative Study of Village Self-Governance Regions in Jiangsu Province

Author: Wang Qingwu / Dong Lei Ming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-01
Features: Modernization in China is not merely about urban modernization, nor just about showcasing the "modern showcases" of eastern cities. Instead, it requires coordinated development between cities and rural areas, as well as progress in material, spiritual, and political aspects toward civilization. As some scholars have noted, our modernization should be "Chinese and people-centered." Numerous historical and realistic factors have led to the incomplete transformation of the current dualistic system of urban-rural separation. The poverty and backwardness in rural areas severely constrain China's modernization process. Without rural modernization, there can be no Chinese modernization. The choice of governance methods is constrained by the level of economic development, while at the same time, it greatly influences the development of society, economy, culture, and other aspects. Therefore, the current governance methods chosen for rural China and the performance of rural governance not only concern the livelihoods of 900 million farmers but also have a pivotal impact on the entire modernization of China. Wang Qingwu and Dong Lei Ming conduct an in-depth study on the governance methods of rural Jiangsu—village self-governance—which not only holds significant theoretical value but also has strong practical relevance.