Strategic 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 the research of villagers' petitioning in rural areas of North China as a sociological study on rural politics. It primarily employs the analytical perspective of game theory within the research framework of "state and society." Through the theories and viewpoints of game theory, it emphasizes the study and analysis of the current survival relationship among 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, and the reconstruction of the relationship between the state and society will, to some extent, lead to the transformation of responsive rural systems and the emergence of rural democratic society.