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Symbolic Governance and Rural Industrial Revitalization: A Spatial and Quantitative Assessment of Sustainable Development

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  • Chuncheng Wang

    (School of Public Administration, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China)

  • Yue Zhen

    (School of Public Administration, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China)

  • Zhenyan Wang

    (School of Public Administration, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China)

  • Da Li

    (Resarch Center for Urban-Rural Integrated Development, Beijing City University, Beijing 101309, China)

  • Shuai Wang

    (School of Public Administration, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China)

  • Yan Feng

    (Business School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China)

Abstract

Rural industrial revitalization is critical for achieving sustainable development and alleviating rural poverty globally. In many developing countries, rural growth remains heavily dependent on fiscal investment. This study investigates the role of China’s county-level honorary titles, a non-fiscal symbolic governance tool, in shaping rural industrial development. Drawing on symbolic governance theory and spatial heterogeneity perspectives, we construct a Rural Industrial Revitalization Index (RIRI) using the entropy weight–Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method and apply Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) to analyze 167 counties in Hebei Province, China. Results show that honorary titles have greater explanatory power than traditional infrastructure measures in explaining regional variations in RIRI, exhibit significant spatial heterogeneity, and are associated with reduced regional disparities. These findings underscore the value of symbolic policy instruments in supporting sustainable and inclusive rural industrial growth beyond fiscal reliance, offering practical implications for policymakers worldwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Chuncheng Wang & Yue Zhen & Zhenyan Wang & Da Li & Shuai Wang & Yan Feng, 2026. "Symbolic Governance and Rural Industrial Revitalization: A Spatial and Quantitative Assessment of Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-26, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:18:y:2026:i:11:p:5584-:d:1957710
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