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Sustainability of the Rural Environment Based on a Tripartite Game Among Government, Enterprises, and Farmers Under the Prisoner’s Dilemma

Author

Listed:
  • Yini Feng

    (College of Mathematics and Computer Science, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work as co-first authors.)

  • Rongning Chen

    (College of Mathematics and Computer Science, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work as co-first authors.)

  • Guobao Xu

    (College of Mathematics and Computer Science, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China)

Abstract

In recent years, with rapid economic development, the importance of environmental governance has gradually been overlooked. The increasing pollution caused by rural sewage discharge has posed a significant threat to the local ecological environment. In this context, this paper treats the local governments, village enterprises, and farmers as the game subjects, integrating them with prisoner’s dilemma theory to construct a tripartite game model. By analyzing the equilibrium points and stability of the model, as well as the effects of the parameters in the dynamic equations, this paper reveals the evolution of strategic choices made by different participants. The results indicate that the optimal strategy for local governments is strict regulation, and village enterprises tend to adopt purification measures, while farmers weigh the costs and benefits and exhibit a negative attitude toward participating in governance. Finally, from a practical perspective, this paper offers suggestions for improving rural ecological environmental protection by engaging local governments, village enterprises, and farmers, aiming to promote the sustainable development of the ecological environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Yini Feng & Rongning Chen & Guobao Xu, 2025. "Sustainability of the Rural Environment Based on a Tripartite Game Among Government, Enterprises, and Farmers Under the Prisoner’s Dilemma," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-19, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:2:p:436-:d:1562673
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Li, Xiaopeng & Wang, Zhonglin & Xu, Yan & Zhang, Hui & Yu, Guihai, 2024. "Asymmetrical interactions driven by strategic persistence effectively alleviate social dilemmas," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    2. Jia Liu & Senwei Huang & Yijia Wang, 2023. "Study of Farmers’ Willingness to Participate in Environmental Governance Based on Recycling, Reduction and Resourcing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-18, July.
    3. Yaling Deng & Daming You & Yang Zhang, 2021. "Can the Behavioural Spillover Effect Affect the Environmental Regulations Strategy Choice of Local Governments?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-24, May.
    4. Yigang Zhang & Xiaoyan Guo, 2023. "The Dilemma and Path of Rural Environmental Governance in China: From the Perspective of a Community with a Shared Future," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-12, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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