Land, Community and Governance in Rural China

Among the greatest challenges facing rural China today is conflict over the ownership and use of agricultural land. Land is a focal point both for disputes with local government and the development of cooperative bonds within rural communities. This research project will examine interrelated issues of secret land redistributions, the requisitioning of land by local governments, and the development of agribusiness, which have never previously been examined from the perspective of Chinese farmers. The project will tell us much about the political, legal, economic and social dilemmas facing the rural Chinese populace.