Effects of Social Capital on Land Disputes and Regulation Through Administrative Intervention: Case Study Based on Yangtze River Economic Panel Data, 2010 to 2021

Land disputes can pose significant threats to the life and property of residents, and integrated resolutions of land disputes can create opportunities for refining and adjusting land resources and rights. Over time, research on the determinants of land disputes has evolved from focusing on legal, administrative, and economic factors to exploring deeper social factors, particularly social capital. Drawing on data from China Judgement Online, Chinese social surveys, and various statistical yearbooks, this study uses an econometric model to innovatively assess three types social capital (social networks, interpersonal trust, and institutional trust) as key determinants of land disputes. The findings reveal that both structural social capital (represented by social networks) and cognitive social capital (in the form of institutional trust) can significantly reduce land disputes. Furthermore, administrative intervention may have a mediating effect by mitigating the negative influence of structural social capital on land disputes. The findings of this study not only advance the theoretical understanding of the influence of social capital on land disputes but also offer practical insights into preventing and resolving such disputes, thereby contributing to the establishment of a peaceful and secure society.