The Search for Rural Modernity in Urban China: A Survey of China's Scholar Activist Networks for Rural Modernization

China's urbanization has been a transformative force over the past century. However, the quest for alternative modes of modernization in rural China has gained significant momentum in recent decades. This research project examines the rising roles of scholar-activists in shaping the discourse about China’s rural future. Most of the scholar-activists primarily work in research institutions, actively participate in social media, and operate their own platforms, networks, and non-governmental organizations. These scholar-activists collaborate with farmer organizations or local governments, with some even holding positions in influential bodies like the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative or National People's Congress.  

Drawing from a range of academic disciplines such as sociology, economy, developmental studies, and history, these scholars bring diverse training and ideological backgrounds to the table. Despite the different approaches and positions, these scholars collectively explore core questions such as the historical and contemporary cause of rural-urban inequality, the optimal pattern of rural-urban migration considering economic development, political stability, and food sovereignty, and the ideal rural-urban relationship. Additionally, they seek to identify alternative forms of rural modernity distinct from the urban-centric model. 

With the support of HMUI, I was able to interview some key scholar-activists in China. I focused on the following questions: A) How did they navigate their identity from research scholar to scholar-activist? B) How have they found institutions and local governments to cooperate with? What are their main advantages and challenges? C) How have they adjusted or not adjusted their positions in relation to central policies, and have their views changed over time? Besides interviewing these key figures, I attended a two-week workshop hosted by one of the most renowned rural research institutions. In the workshop, I gained a deeper understanding of the dynamics between researchers and local government officials, particularly the space and restrictions they encounter. 

Researcher: Ziwei Zhang