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Who Owns the Rural Space? The Social Contradictions Between Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Native Individuals Under China’s Rural Revitalization

Author

Listed:
  • Wei Meng

    (Department of Public Security Administration, Jiangsu Police Institute, Nanjing 210031, China
    School of Government, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China)

  • Hengyu Wang

    (Siauliai Academy, Vilnius University, 76351 Siauliai, Lithuania)

  • Shengcong Wang

    (School of Government, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China)

Abstract

China’s rural revitalization strategy has led to the emergence of a new group of immigrant entrepreneurs. As they manage industries in villages, social contradictions with the native individuals inevitably arise. To reveal the social contradictions between immigrant entrepreneurs and native individuals, this study constructs a framework based on social conflict theory and employs a qualitative approach combining methods such as participative observation and unstructured interviews with immigrant entrepreneurs, native individuals, and village officials in Xian Village. Key findings reveal the following: (1) Disparities in lifestyle, entertainment methods, and commercial interests are the main factors contributing to the social contradictions. (2) The presentation of contradictions is summarized in three forms: the segregation of production space, the emergence of interest groups, and the outbreak of intermittent conflicts. (3) Although these contradictions seem to be part of everyday life and self-regulating, with the favoritism of local governments, the power network of the village is further eroded by immigrant entrepreneurs, and native individuals are faced with the risk of being marginalized, which seems to be a tricky phenomenon in the process of rural revitalization. These findings summarize the causes and localized presentation forms of social contradictions, enhance the applicability of social conflict theory, and supplement valuable cases from developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Meng & Hengyu Wang & Shengcong Wang, 2025. "Who Owns the Rural Space? The Social Contradictions Between Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Native Individuals Under China’s Rural Revitalization," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-19, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:2:p:420-:d:1593270
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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