Rural Rule of Law Status (From the Perspective of Tsinghua University Students)

Author: Wang Chenguang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: Since the reform and opening-up, Chinese society has entered an unprecedented period of modernization and social transformation. Its momentum is overwhelming, its scale immense, its changes profound, its achievements remarkable, and its impact far-reaching, undeniable and unparalleled in history. Although this modernization and social transformation is still in progress, facing numerous challenges and difficulties, it has already brought tremendous results and benefits to Chinese society, greatly enhancing social productivity and significantly improving people's living standards. At the same time, its influence has long surpassed national borders, standing out uniquely in the process of human modernization and creating a new path for modern development. This book is a theoretical monograph on rural rule of law research, collecting over ten research papers on the topic. The content covers rural land systems, village elections, the status of rural migrant workers, rural finance, rural families, rural legal services, and civil disputes among farmers, making it a valuable reference for legal researchers. Rural rule of law construction and legal education reform—no need for excessive description to outline—have become the two major themes of China's legal profession in the new century. Fieldwork and reflections in the ivory tower—though different paths—carry the eternal pursuit of justice. In 2005, students from Tsinghua University School of Law participated in a three-month rural life experience through legal aid activities in G County. This book records their observations, reflections, and ideas, blending fresh writing with a profound rural atmosphere, offering insightful analyses and suggestions. Many faculty and students at Tsinghua University School of Law have long been concerned with rural rule of law construction. Since its revival in 1995, the school has upheld Tsinghua University's tradition of "action over words," emphasizing the combination of theory and practice, comprehensive student development, and extensive practical teaching and activities. After discussion, we believe there are several deeper issues in legal education and research: first, theory detached from practice and teaching disconnected from real-world application, treating law as a purely conceptual and theoretical construct disconnected from the real world; second, the rigidification of sub-disciplines and isolation between disciplines; and third, overemphasis on textbook knowledge while neglecting the cultivation of students' comprehensive qualities, abilities, and legal ethics. To address these problems, the school has, based on active practice, bold borrowing, scientific planning, and prudent implementation, taken the needs of national and social development as guidance, the realities of China and international trends as background, and bravely pioneered new paths to overcome these shortcomings. Focusing on rural China, the largest practical issue, is a concrete approach to implementing these reform ideas, with the field survey in G County being a specific project. Although most students may not work in rural areas after graduation, their three-month practice there has indeed given them unique experiences and insights, deepening their understanding of society and grassroots communities, and allowing them to feel the complexity and challenges of China's issues. This book records their observations, reflections, and ideas, covering various aspects of rural rule of law and social life. However, this was not prearranged; it was purely inspired by what they saw and experienced. While some important aspects (such as village self-governance) remain untouched, overall, the content is interconnected, forming a relatively comprehensive survey report and policy study on regional rule of law and social development, with a natural charm of "different perspectives, different views." Each article in the book is based on solid social surveys and personal experiences. Despite the limited time and scope of the author's investigations, some data may not fully represent the whole picture. However, from the perspectives of case analysis and village studies, it still holds great reference value. Especially the specific cases investigated and analyzed are highly typical, revealing many concrete issues in rural rule of law construction and legal operations, offering a fresh perspective. Their analyses and policy suggestions are also innovative and possess academic rigor. This research approach, with rural China's institutional realities and cases as its starting point, along with its unique perspective and method of moving from practice to theory and back again, is particularly commendable and worth promoting. In this sense, they are pioneers who dare to lead, new blossoms in the garden of legal research, and thinkers who think deeply and explore boldly. This book is the crystallization of their efforts and dedication.