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The interaction between informal and formal institutions: A case study of private land property rights in rural China

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  • Qiu, Tongwei
  • Zhang, Danru
  • Choy, S.T. Boris
  • Luo, Biliang

Abstract

Informal and formal institutions coexist, interacting in a complex and dynamic manner. We examine whether informal institutions can still function without official recognition and how they impact formal institutions. Drawing on a quasi-natural experiment involving the private land system in rural China known as “ancestral land”, and using trust change to represent institutional outcomes, this paper discusses the dilemma of informal institutions. The results indicate that ancestral land induces the transition of rural residents’ interpersonal trust to contract-based trust and increases the marketization of land rentals, which is one goal of China’s current land reforms. However, ancestral land reduces rural residents’ institutional trust and perceived security of tenure, and even hinders the new round of land titling. Our analysis implies that, although induced institutional innovations optimize the governance of the commons and increase the efficient allocation of production factors, the lack of official recognition is an obstacle to its potential.

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  • Qiu, Tongwei & Zhang, Danru & Choy, S.T. Boris & Luo, Biliang, 2021. "The interaction between informal and formal institutions: A case study of private land property rights in rural China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 578-591.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecanpo:v:72:y:2021:i:c:p:578-591
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eap.2021.10.005
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    2. Diandian Hao & Ziyi Yan & Yanan Wang & Bowen Wang, 2022. "Effect of Village Informal Institutions and Cadre-Mass Relationship for Farmers’ Participation in Rural Residential Environment Governance in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-16, December.
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    4. Yu Chen & Wenhui Zhang & Yilian Liu & Weisong Li & Chengwu Liu & Shengfu Yang, 2023. "Spatial Pattern of Large-Scale Agricultural Land and Spatial Heterogeneity of Influencing Factors in the Mountainous Areas of Western China—Wuling Mountains as an Example," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-26, November.
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    6. Gong, Maogang & Zhong, Yanan & Zhang, Yun & Elahi, Ehsan & Yang, Yuanxi, 2023. "Have the new round of agricultural land system reform improved farmers' agricultural inputs in China?," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).

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