Game Theory and Survival in Rural Politics: A Study of Village Petitions in North China

Author: Zheng Xin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: This book focuses on a sociological study of rural politics with the research subject being the petitioning of villagers in North China's rural areas. It primarily employs the analytical framework of "State and Society" and introduces the perspective of game theory. Through the theories and viewpoints of game theory, it emphasizes the study and analysis of the survival relationship in the current game between the state, rural cadres, and farmers. The author argues that the "cycle of petitioning for governance" catalyzes the differentiation and conflict of rural social interests and the fragmentation of authority structures. Additionally, it points out that during the game of villagers' petitioning, the benign interaction and reconstruction of the relationship between the state and society may, to some extent, lead to changes in rural responsive systems and the emergence of rural democratic societies.