This paper undertakes a systematic empirical study of the impact of village elections in the People's Republic of China on village power structures and village governance. It finds that village elections have resulted in significant change in village power-holders. These elections have empowered...

It is widely recognized that local management of common pool resources can be more efficient and more effective than private markets or top-down government management, especially in remote rural communities in which the institutions necessary for the enforcement of centrally-imposed regulations...