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From Peasants to Farmers: Peasant Differentiation, Labor Regimes, and Land-Rights Institutions in China’s Agrarian Transition

Author

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  • Q. Forrest Zhang

    (Singapore Management University, Singapore, forrestzhang@smu.edu.sg)

  • John A. Donaldson

    (Singapore Management University, Singapore, jdonaldson@smu.edu.sg)

Abstract

The development of factor markets has opened Chinese agriculture for the penetration of capitalism. This new round of rural transformation—China’s agrarian transition— raises the agrarian question in the Chinese context. This study investigates how capitalist forms and relations of production transform agricultural production and the peasantry class in rural China. The authors identify six forms of nonpeasant agricultural production, compare the labor regimes and direct producers’ socioeconomic statuses across these forms, and evaluate the role of China’s land-rights institution in shaping these forms. The empirical investigation presents three main findings: (1) Peasant differentiation : capitalist forms of agricultural production differentiate peasants into a variety of new class positions. (2) Market-based stratification : producers in capitalist agriculture are primarily stratified by their positions in labor and land markets; their socioeconomic statuses are linked with their varying degrees of proletarianization. (3) Institutional mediation : rural China’s dual-track land system plays a crucial role in shaping the diverse and unique forms of capitalist production.

Suggested Citation

  • Q. Forrest Zhang & John A. Donaldson, 2010. "From Peasants to Farmers: Peasant Differentiation, Labor Regimes, and Land-Rights Institutions in China’s Agrarian Transition," Politics & Society, , vol. 38(4), pages 458-489, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:polsoc:v:38:y:2010:i:4:p:458-489
    DOI: 10.1177/0032329210381236
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Shaun Goldfinch, 2015. "Property rights and the mystery of capital: A review of de Soto’s simplistic solution to development," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 15(1), pages 87-96, January.
    2. Zhanping Hu & Qian Forrest Zhang, 2022. "The Resilience of Diversified Clusters: Reconfiguring Commodity Networks in Rural China during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-17, March.
    3. Cao, Yueming & Bai, Yunli & Sun, Mingxing & Xu, Xiangbo & Fu, Chao & Zhang, Linxiu, 2022. "Experience and lessons from the implementing of the latest Land Certificated Program in rural China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    4. Rogers, Sarah & Wilmsen, Brooke & Han, Xiao & Wang, Zoe Ju-Han & Duan, Yuefang & He, Jun & Li, Jie & Lin, Wanlong & Wong, Christine, 2021. "Scaling up agriculture? The dynamics of land transfer in inland China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    5. Qian, Chen & Li, Fan & Antonides, Gerrit & Heerink, Nico & Ma, Xianlei & Li, Xiande, 2020. "Effect of personality traits on smallholders’ land renting behavior: Theory and evidence from the North China Plain," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    6. Muyombano, Emmanuel & Espling, Margareta, 2020. "Land use consolidation in Rwanda: The experiences of small-scale farmers in Musanze District, Northern Province," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    7. Xu, Yunan, 2019. "Rethinking the politics of land-use change: Insights from the rise of the industrial tree plantation sector in Southern China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    8. Mindi Schneider, 2015. "What, then, is a Chinese peasant? Nongmin discourses and agroindustrialization in contemporary China," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 32(2), pages 331-346, June.
    9. Quanfeng Li & Shougeng Hu & Guoming Du & Chuanrong Zhang & Yansui Liu, 2017. "Cultivated Land Use Benefits Under State and Collective Agrarian Property Regimes in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-19, December.

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