Rural Government Research Articles

Research on Villager Autonomy and the Entrance of New Villager Sages from the Perspective of “Principal-agent” Theory

From the perspective of “principal-agent” theory, this paper discusses the interaction between Chinese villager autonomy and the entrance of new villager sages, analyzes the goal state and deviation of villager autonomy system, and the dilemma of identity, information and interest asymmetry faced by new villager sages in the process of entry. In order to provide new ideas for the study of rural governance, this paper puts forward optimization paths such as promoting the integration of local identity of new villagers, perfecting the mechanism of new villagers’ participation in rural governance, creating a benign social atmosphere, and improving the ability of village cadres to play a key role.

Rural Land Governance and Women Marginalisation in Amhara Regional State

Abstract Women have international and national rights to use, control, transfer, and inherit rural land. Unless laws and institutions are strong enough, women’s land rights can’t be effectively discharged. Moreover, the different socioeconomic status of women highly affects their land rights. This study has the objective of exploring land acquisition, landholding, and land transfer rights and practical challenges in North Mecha Woreda. The study has applied phenomenological qualitative research design. The findings show that the status of land acquisition, control, inheritance, and use is highly affected by the socioeconomic status of women. Moreover, women’s rights to land inheritance are highly affected due to the culture of male domination. This study recommends that there has to be legal protection to women to fully exercise their land rights to use, control, and transfer. These needs stretching the structure of Women, Children and Social Affairs Office at Kebele level of administration.

The factors affecting rural residents’ willingness to burden-share costs of local infrastructure supply in developing countries: evidence from China

Rural infrastructure is fundamental to rural development in developing countries. Yet, rural governments endure heavier fiscal constraints than their urban counterparts. Thus, the capacity of rural residents to subsidize infrastructure supply is critical to facilitating provision. While this capability has increased, the willingness of rural inhabitants to absorb cost burdens remains low. However, the factors impacting willingness remains unexamined. This study addresses this deficiency by identifying influencing factors through the lens of “public goods theory.” A field survey of 266 rural Chinese residents is conducted. Results reveal that opinions on affordability are shaped by government policy, perceptions of equitable burden-sharing, and group behavior. Situational cognition plays an important intermediary role in affecting rural residents’ willingness. The “free-rider effect” is also confirmed as a factor. The findings of this study offer strategies for increasing the affordability of rural infrastructure investment in developing countries by raising the pay-for-use willingness of beneficiaries.

AdaBoost model-based rural governance co-integration and sharing mechanism

Abstract In this paper, we first study the implementation process of the AdaBoost model, initialize the weight distribution of training samples so that each sample weight is equal, then generate weak classifiers and calculate the minimum weighted error rate corresponding to each weak classifier, and then linearly combine the basic classifiers into strong classifiers by using weighted summation. Then the basic classifier weighting parameter calculation formula is improved by combining the characteristics of the logistics distribution function. Finally, the algorithm is used to analyze the rural governance willingness of river country residents, as well as to analyze the rural governance needs of rural residents at three levels: living conditions, public health and service facilities, to identify the types of rural governance, and to explore the rural governance patterns of different types of farm households. At the level of living conditions, farmers who wish to improve cooking fuel in 54 households, heating conditions in 61 households, bathing conditions in 40 households and family toilets in 53 households account for 43%, 49%, 32% and 42%, respectively. A total of 80 farming households, accounting for 29.41% of the research farming households, were optimized and upgraded, including 66 households in the key development area and 14 households in the production and living security area, accounting for 82.5% and 17.5% of the optimized and upgraded type, respectively. The research method of this paper has important references and reference significance for the construction of rural governance.

Analysis of Land Use/Cover Changes and Driving Forces in a Typical Subtropical Region of South Africa

Land use/cover change (LULCC) is an integral part of global environmental change and is influenced by both natural and socioeconomic factors. This study aims to comprehensively analyze land use and land cover (LULC) in Kwazulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces in eastern South Africa from 1995 to 2020 and to identify the driving force behind LULCC. Utilizing Landsat series satellite imagery as a data source and based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and eCognition software 9.0, two different classification methods, pixel-based classification and object-oriented classification, were adopted to gather LULC data every five years. The spatiotemporal characteristics of the data were then analyzed. Using an optimal parameter-based geodetector (OPGD), this study explored the driving factors of LULCC in this region. The results show the following: (1) Of the two classification methods examined, the object-oriented classification had higher accuracy, with an overall accuracy of 80–90%. The pixel-based classification had lower accuracy, with an overall accuracy of 62.33–72.14%. (2) From 1995 to 2020, the area of farmland in the study area showed a fluctuating increase, while the areas of forest and grassland declined annually. The area of constructed land increased annually, whereas the areas of water and unused land fluctuated over time. (3) Socioeconomic factors generally had greater explanatory power than natural factors, with population growth and economic development being the main drivers of LULCC in the region. This study provides a reliable scientific basis for the formulation of sustainable land resource development strategies in the area, as well as for the management and implementation of urban and rural planning, ecological protection, and environmental governance by relevant departments.

Transfer or Surrender Rural Homestead Land? An Investigation of farmers’ Preferences in China

With rapid industrialization and urbanization in China, a large rural population has migrated to cities and left their rural homestead land (RHL) idled. Land use policy on RHL utilization is crucial to the efficient use of land resources. However, due to farmers’ limited knowledge of regulations and lack of participation in rural land governance, their preference is sometimes overlooked in the policy-making process. The purpose of this paper is to examine farmers’ preferences for the two primary RHL utilization programs, i.e., transfer and surrender. We conducted a farmer household survey of 405 households in rural areas in Changchun at Jilin Province, China in 2018 and estimated farmers’ willingness to participate in the mechanisms using a bivariate ordered probit model. Various options under the two mechanisms are also investigated. We find a positive correlation between rural households’ willingness to participate in these two mechanisms. This is the first comprehensive study taking into consideration the correlation and tradeoff in farmers’ choice between the two mechanisms. The results shed light on the heterogeneity of households’ needs and interests in RHL utilization, an important component to be considered in rural development policy-making decisions.

Retracted: Rural Workplace Sustainable Development of Smart Rural Governance Workplace Platform for Efficient Enterprise Performances.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/1588638.].

Historical Overview of Development’s Impact on Rural and Urban Governance in Iran

: The constitutional revolution in 1906 was the beginning of a new era for Iran. A national parliament was established for making laws that established modern institutions such as city and village councils and mayors over the decades. Urban governance was renewed and the land reforms in the 1960s transformed rural governance, changed landlord– peasant relations and reduced the traditional authority of village headman (kadkhodas) in village administration. The 1979 revolution introduced a new kind of local governance, Islamic councils for governing cities and villages. This article discusses the main changes and challenges of local governance in Iran by using theoretical concepts of dependent development. The changing pattern of authority and penetration of state bureaucracy through the creation of several rural and urban organizations before and after the Revolution of 1979 is discussed. The article also explains how the establishments of these rural and urban institutions have helped to increase the domination of the state officials within both cities and villages.

Rural Communities and Water Governance: Understanding Participatory Processes for Catchment Management in the Upper Umzimvubu Catchment

Water is a crucial issue for sustainable livelihoods, and a lack of it impacts human life. Catchment areas play an essential role in water provisioning, and their management is fundamental for sustained water availability. The UN-endorsed Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach best expresses catchment management ideals that resonate with South Africa's constitutional ideals of efficient and equitable distribution of resources. South Africa has a history of inequality that led to severe neglect of rural areas in many facets, including the water sector. Despite the country's reformed laws and policies, sustainable water provision and access remain challenging, particularly in rural-based municipalities where land degradation and a weak revenue base interact to reduce access to water for most communities. This paper reports on a study that sought to understand participatory processes for catchment management in the upper Umzimvubu catchment within Matatiele Local Municipality in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. This study used a qualitative approach to data collection and document analysis. The findings show that participatory water governance strategies exist and tend to coalesce around non-governmental structures. The findings also show that there is room for improving water governance in rural communities, including the need to finalize the establishment of Catchments Management Areas (CMAs) in all nine existing Water Management Areas (WMAs) while incorporating strong community involvement and strengthening the capacity of rural municipalities.

Early Childhood Education and its Impact on Enrolment Enhancement at Primary Level, Rural Areas

This research study aimed to determine the impact of pre-primary education in rural government schools on enhancing enrolment. Twenty schools were drawn from three remote areas of Sindh province of District Malir, Gudap. The enrolment data of katchi, class I, current class II, previous class- II and current class III was collected from schools to evaluate the enrolment rate of children who get pre-primary education and who do not and are directly enrolled in class I. The results of overall investigations postulate that there is no major impact of government initiatives to improve the quality of education. The results also negate the assumption that children admitted to the katchi class have a greater chance of continuing further education and a lesser chance of dropping out of school. The results postulate that other factors lead to the lower enrolment enhancement rate from the primary classes in Sind generally and in the selected Gadap town specifically, which need to be further investigated. The study recommends a focus on community engagement, school-based leadership, improved infrastructure, teacher training, improved curriculum and participation of parents.

The evolution of China’s rural water governance: water, techno-political development and state legitimacy

ABSTRACT The article investigates the evolution of rural water governance in the People’s Republic of China through a historical review of its water governance transformations, including the ideology, institutions, and discourses. It is argued that the evolution of agricultural water management and rural drinking water development in China is inextricably linked to addressing political legitimacy. Rural water governance, is shown to be intertwined with state identity and citizenship formation, in order to produce and control hydrosocial territorial objects and subjects.

Rural Financial Management: Moderating Role of Internal Control in the Digital Governance Era.

This research investigates the impact of Information Technology Advancement (IT) in rural areas, particularly the Village Financial Management System (Siskeudes), with a focus on its interaction with internal control systems. Through a sample of 30 village secretaries and treasurers in the Buduran District, Sidoarjo Regency, the study employs direct surveys and questionnaires for data collection. Utilizing IBM SPSS Statistics 25, the analysis reveals a significant positive influence of both internal control systems and IT advancement on rural financial management. Notably, internal control systems were found to moderate the relationship between IT advancement and financial governance. These findings underscore the vital role of internal controls in optimizing the benefits of IT solutions, offering valuable insights for global policymakers and practitioners involved in rural development and digital governance.Highlights :
 
 The research examines the synergy between Information Technology Advancement and Internal Control Systems in rural financial management.
 Findings reveal a significant positive influence of both Internal Control Systems and IT advancement on rural financial governance.
 Internal Control Systems play a crucial moderating role in enhancing the impact of IT solutions, providing essential insights for global policymakers and practitioners in rural development and digital governance.
 
 Keywords:Information Technology Advancement, Village Financial Management System, Internal Control Systems, Rural Development, Digital Governance.

Collective action improves elite-driven governance in rural development within China

Rural areas are at the forefront of achieving sustainable development goals, and elite actors tend to be the most influential local decision-makers in rural development. Nevertheless, improving the effectiveness of governance by elites and avoiding or redressing “elite capture” remain key challenges for sustainable rural development globally. This research integrates a large-scale quantitative dataset consisting of 604 villages in seven counties of Jiangsu province in China with qualitative data from eight villages in three out of the seven counties to examine whether and how collective action mediates the correlation between rural elites and rural development. Our quantitative analysis using multiple regression and path analysis indicates that collective action is a mediator, but it is more influential in linking governing elites than in linking economic elites with rural development. Our case studies with interviews further illuminate that collective action fuels rural development by improving resource reallocation and resource-use efficiency with the participation of both elites and non-elites. Innovative collective action designs that leverage a reputation effect to foster reciprocity norms promote the participation of elites while discouraging elite capture. Additionally, this research contributes to longstanding debates in commons governance about the role of authority interventions: we find evidence justifying the benefits of authority in catalyzing and sustaining collective action while also corroborating the critical role of democratization in improving rural governance by elites.

Assessing and Addressing the Challenges of Rural Local Governments

This research assesses the challenges facing rural local governments, impediments to addressing them, and the extent to which rural local governments would benefit from additional revenues, management capacity, or partnerships. Using survey data from rural local governments in Wisconsin, findings indicate longstanding problems related to revenue limitations, management capacity, and service delivery remain, but there are also significant concerns about high-speed internet access, affordable housing, and substance abuse. Impediments to addressing challenges include financial limitations, reduced state support, and declining community involvement. Obtaining additional revenues and partnerships with other, nearby local governments were viewed as the most helpful methods to address community challenges. Overall, the results update and expand on existing research on the challenges facing rural local communities, and further highlight the need for additional research on this specific subset of local governments.

Analysing the Correlation of Bank Sampah and Rural Environmental Government Concept

This study aims to analyze the concept of Bank sampah as the rural environmental government in Indonesia. The initial reason for researching these issues is supported by the importance of collaborative governance in rural governmental organization. At this case, villagers and bank sampah is the key for this issue. The work of villagers who run the technical bank sampah necessities are need to be strengthen by local government and other stakehilders such as private, or any other non-governmental organization. Behavioural change that supposed to be existing at the beginning of bank sampah initials is broken down into several stages that also needed to be implemented by all the stakeholders. Using qualitative methods with a multiple case study approach, the researchers focused on Bank Sampah itself, community participation, and also rural environmental government in Indonesia in order to support the execution of the 3 R (reduce, reuse, and recycle) and promote behavioral change in society, Bank Sampah was founded. The government needs to establish strict regulations for stakeholder collaboration. Rural environmental governance and sustainable development are inextricably linked to village involvement as well as the rule of virtue and the rule of the people, not just from government's point of view. Also, with strong local government and environmental protection, there is hope that Indonesia's ecological civilisation will advance, particularly with the implementation of Bank Sampah.

Rural Resident Participation in Rural Human Settlement Environmental

This study aims to delve into the impact of rural resident participation on rural human settlement environmental governance, providing fresh theoretical insights and practical experiences for rural governance. Firstly, the paper analyzes the significance of rural resident participation in rural environmental governance, emphasizing the pivotal role of rural self-governance in community governance. Subsequently, the study examines the role of government policies and support, as well as the involvement of non-governmental organizations, in rural environmental governance. Government policies and support stimulate proactive participation by rural residents, while non-governmental organizations contribute specialized knowledge and resources to rural environmental projects. Collaboration between the government and non-governmental organizations is also identified as a key factor in enhancing governance efficiency. In the concluding section, the comprehensive effects of rural resident participation in rural human settlement environmental governance are summarized, including environmental quality improvement, increased community cohesion, and the promotion of sustainable development. Additionally, the study explores the potential and future directions of rural resident participation, underscoring the importance of policy formulation and further research. This research is expected to provide valuable insights for academia and policymakers, fostering the advancement and refinement of rural governance.

Village clans and rural households' willingness to participate in domestic waste governance: Evidence from China

Rural domestic waste seriously damages the village environment and the health of villagers, and it is difficult to rely only on the government and the market for effective governance, so there is an urgent need to incorporate the village endogenous power into the domestic waste governance. Using a panel dataset of China Labor-force Dynamics Survey from 2014 to 2016, the article constructs an analytical framework based on self-governance theory, and employs an instrumental variable approach to examine the effect of village clans on rural households' willingness to participate in domestic waste governance. We find that village clans have a significant positive effect on rural households' willingness to participate in domestic waste governance, which is stronger when grassroots governments implement incentive environmental regulation. The underlying mechanism is that common rules and reciprocity embodied in village clans increase rural households' collective actions. Further analysis shows that low degree of clan diversity significantly promotes rural households’ willingness to participate in domestic waste governance. This paper offers valuable references to realise a rural environmental governance system based on the benign interaction between governmental governance, social regulation and residents' self-governance.

E-Gram Panchayath

A student initiative called "E-Gram Panchayath" seeks to modernize and digitize the operations of rural local government entities, particularly gram panchayats in India. The project's objective is to provide a web-based platform that will help gram panchayats carry out their obligations and responsibilities, such as the administration of local development, management of community resources, and provision of public services projects. The platform will offer a variety of functions, such as online complaint forms and a platform for accessing official data and papers, tools for monitoring the progression of requests, and development initiatives. The project's objective is to increase the accountability, openness, and efficiency of gram better outcomes for the communities they serve as a result of panchayats.

Hand Washing – its Awareness and Practices Among School Children and Facilities Available in Rural Government Schools of District Rohtak, Haryana

Introduction: Hand washing with soap (HWWS) is one of the single most cost-effective public health interventions. HWWS is effective in reducing diarrhea and can reduce its risk up to 48% and acute respiratory infections by more than 20%. Government of India launched Swachh Bharat Swachh Vidyalaya program, which also provided guidelines for hand washing i.e., availability of soap at hand washing stations, hand washing to be done before mid-day meal and also after use of toilet or urinal. The objective of the study was to assess knowledge and practices of hand washing among school children along with adequacy of available hand washing facilities and contributors responsible for it.
 Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in all Government schools of Lakhan Majra block, Rohtak, Haryana, India. Thirty-Eight schools for provision of facilities and 613 students for assessing knowledge, practice and behavior change were included in the study employing stratified random sampling technique. Semi-structured interview schedule was used for data collection.
 Results: All schools had hand washing facilities. Soap was available in 63.2% and 97.2% students knew benefits of hand washing while 88.9% of them were promoting it also. Less than one fifth of the students could demonstrate the correct steps of hand washing.
 Conclusions: Majority of students were aware of washing hands before and after critical times. Soap availability in schools was inadequate

Enabling In-Situ Urbanization through Digitalization

The bourgeoning of e-commerce in the context of the information era has accelerated the urbanization trend by broaching a new horizon of economic and industrial boosters for rural places, epitomized by a great number of “Taobao Villages” in China. This paper has two objectives: (1) explore the process and mechanism of digitalization enabling rural in-situ urbanization represented by e-commerce; (2) nuance the specific case evidence of Daiji Town, where digitalization enabled in-situ urbanization recently. We build up a theoretical framework for digitalization-enabled in-situ urbanization from the juxtaposition of four interlinked elements: industry, talent, rural governance, and land use. It then analyzed the details and evidence of digitalization enabling rural in-situ urbanization through the case study of Daiji Town. The main conclusions of this paper are as follows: First, digitalization plugs rural areas into production and consumption networks in wider contexts, promoting the transformation and prosperity of rural economies. Secondly, the reverse migration of young generations to rural areas becomes the key to rural in-situ urbanization. Thirdly, digitization materializes the urbanization of rural spaces. Finally, digitalization enables the rural transformation and improvement of urban-rural relations in the Global South, which needs to be further explored.