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Winning hearts after tying hands: The political impact of land titling reform in China

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  • Hu, Zhi-An
  • Nie, Zhuo
  • Zhao, Jiaqi

Abstract

This study examines whether land reform can constrain predatory behavior by local state agents and, in turn, enhance regime support and policy compliance among the general population. We offer empirical evidence from China's land titling reform that provided rural households with legal land certificates. Exploiting the staggered rollout of the reform across counties beginning in 2011, we find that land titling significantly increased political trust toward the government. Although the reform did not generate significant economic returns, it empowered rural residents to pursue legal protection against land expropriation, thereby limiting the discretionary authority of local officials. Additional analyses suggest that the reform led to greater participation in government-initiated social security programs and a decline in engagement with local elections.

Suggested Citation

  • Hu, Zhi-An & Nie, Zhuo & Zhao, Jiaqi, 2026. "Winning hearts after tying hands: The political impact of land titling reform in China," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:182:y:2026:i:c:s0304387826000830
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2026.103800
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • P26 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Property Rights
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies
    • Q15 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment

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