Journal of Contemporary China · 2012 · 41 citations · 0 references
Social SciencesAgricultural EconomicsLand-use PlanningLand EconomicsRural DevelopmentRural EconomicsAgrarian Political EconomyLand ReformLand Use PoliticsPeasant EconomiesRural GovernanceRural Land ManagementPeasant ConflictPeasant LandholdingRural Economic ChangeRural Land GovernanceRural Land PolicyRural Political EconomyRural Power RelationsRural Property Relations
Abstract To a certain extent, a more stringent regime for requisition of rural land may help protect the interests of peasants. There is, however, a hierarchy of income opportunity in the countryside as a result of diversification of rural economic structure in reform China. The varying degree of land dependence renders a contrasting calculation on the value of land lease among Chinese peasants. For peasants in the more prosperous regions, the conflicts are primarily triggered by their exclusion from direct engagement in the land market and deprivation of the chance to maximise potential gain that fuels the growing tension in the countryside. A more direct response to this fundamental cause, however, requires audacious moves by the Party leadership venturing into zones of political taboo.