Exploring elite involvement in China’s rural revitalization: A case study of three villages in Shunde
![](https://article.accscience.com/imageFile/by-nc.png)
Rural revitalization stands as a current development strategy strongly advocated by the government, aimed at fostering rural economic development and improving the livelihood of rural residents. Central to this process is the active participation of the social elite, recognized as a major driving force behind rural revitalization efforts. Through a comprehensive literature review, this article groundbreakingly identifies three models of social elite involvement in China’s rural revitalization: government elite-led, capital elite-led, and intellectual elite-led. Employing a comparative case study approach focusing on three villages in Shunde (Qingtian Village, Fengjian Village, and Gulang Village), each representing one of the aforementioned models, this article conducted extensive field studies and in-depth interviews. By doing so, it aims to examine the strengths and weaknesses of each model, as well as the challenges they encounter. Ultimately, the study endeavors to uncover a locally sustainable model of social elite involvement that best suits the needs of the local community, thereby promoting greater achievements in the pursuit of rural revitalization.
Dou, X. W. (2015). How does the community move up? Dushu, 37(9):129-136.
Fujian Province Housing and Urban-Rural Construction Department. (2017). Annual Report on Government Information Disclosure in 2016. Fujian Provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. Available from: https://zjt.fujian.gov.cn/xxgk/zfxxgkzl/ xxgkndbg/201712/t20171204_2897825.htm [Last accessed: 2024 May 24].
Gao, Y. M., & Ji, F. Y. (2018). Implications of Community Building for Rural Revitalization in Taiwan--Taking Taome Frog Village and Puli Butterfly Town as Examples. Ren Wen Tian Xia, 7(18):6-10. https://doi.org/10.16737/j.cnki.rwtx81281190.2018.18.002
Guo, H. C., & Han, F. (2010). Review on the development of rural tourism in China. Progress in Geography, 29(12):1597-1605. https://doi.org/10.11820/dlkxjz.2010.12.018
He, X. F. (2012). The Rural Elite and Rural Governance in China Comments on Tahara Fumiki’s China’s Rural Elite in the Eyes of Japan: Relationship, Unity and Sannong Politics. Frontiers, 1(12):90-94. https://doi.org/10.16619/j.cnki.rmltxsqy.2012.12.013
Hong, Y. Y. (2015). Jian She Jing Sheng Jia Yuan, Shou Wang Mei li Xiang Chou. Nanfang Daily. Available from: https:// news.sina.com.cn/c/2015-03-12/043931596893.shtml [Last accessed on 2024 May 24].
Jiang, Y. (2021). Implications of building rural cultural spaces in the perspective of community creation for promoting rural development--taking Tugou village in Tainan as an example. Interior Architecture of China, 20(10):142-143.
Li, N. S., & He, R. S. (2022). The logic and path of social organizations’ participation in the construction of Resilient Villages. China Rural Survey, 43(2):98-116.
Li, Q. (2022). Dang Dai Zhong Guo She Hui Feng Ceng. Shanghai: Life Reading New Knowledge Bookstore.
Li, Z. L. (2019). Research on the coupling mechanism and coordinated development of rural revitalization-rura tourism system: A case study on Fenghuang County in Hunan. Geographical Research, 23(6):643-654.
Li, Z. M., & Shi, W. (2021). Innovative development model for lmpoverished rural communities: The resource bricolage perspective. Journal of Hebei Agricultural University (Social Sciences), 23(6):57-68. https://doi.org/10.13320/j.cnki.jauhe.2021.0089
Liu, S. M. (2017). A retrospection, introspection and expectation of art practices engaged socially in the rural construction based on Qingtian Paradigm from perspective of anthropology. Journal of Ethnic Art, 4:5-13. https://doi.org/10.13767/j.cnki.cn64-1011/j.2017.04.001
Liu, S. M. (2018). Predicament and reflection of activated countryside by art: A case study of Qingtian Fang, Guang Dong Province. Public Art, 10(2):20-27.
Liu, X. X. (2018). The New Requirements for the strategy of rural revitalization in a New Era: An Interpretation of the “Central document No.1” in 2018. Studies on Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping, 39(3):13-20.
Pareto, V. (2010). The Rise and Fall of the Elite. Beijing: Beijing Press House.
Qu, Y. (2021). Civilization Path of Chinese Rural Rehabilitation in Qingtian Model. Shanghai: Shanghai Joint Publishing Press.
Tang, R. W. (2018). The path of rural revitalization strategy in the new era. Frontiers, 7(3):26-33. https://doi.org/10.16619/j.cnki.rmltxsqy.2018.03.004
Wang, L. (2018). Xiang Cun Wen Hua Zheng Xing de Guo Xue Si Kao. Beijing: Guangming Daily, p. 11.
Wang, Q. S., & Zhang, X. F. (2018). Rural tourism development under the background of rural revitalization--realistic dilemma and path. Journal of Bohai University (Philosophy and Social science Edition), 40(5):77-82. https://doi.org/10.13831/j.cnki.issn.1672-8254.2018.05.016
Xiang, H., & Zhou, J. L. (2001). The historical evolution and current situation of rural elite pattern: An analysis of the factors of “land system-State control”. Governance Studies, 17(5):90-94. https://doi.org/10.15944/j.cnki.33-1010/d.2001.05.019
Yang, H. R. (2014).She qu ru he Dong qi Lai? Taipei: Qunxue Publishing House.
Yue, J. L., & Cheng, Y. X. (2016). How do social elites promote rural community governance? Experiences from Taomi Community in Taiwan. Nanjing Journal of Social Sciences, 27(5):69-75. https://doi.org/10.15937/j.cnki.issn1001-8263.2016.05.011
Zhang, X. W., & Zhang, L. (2021). Vernacular culture ldentity, community action and rural cultural revitalization: Based on the case of restoring clan culture in Wu Village, Northwest Hubei. Journal of Nanjing Agricultural University (Social Sciences Edition), 21(4):19-28. https://doi.org/10.19714/j.cnki.1671-7465.2021.0052
Zuo, J. (2020). Bi Shan12: Jian Zhu Shi Zai Xiang Cun. Beijing: CITIC Press House.